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Updated: Jul 15, 2025
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
Latissimus dorsi flap with immediate fat transfer (LIFT) for autologous breast reconstruction: Single institution
Joseph M Escandón1, Howard N Langstein1, Jose G Christiano1
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA.
Background:
Few studies have reported the outcomes of LDF and immediate fat transfer (LIFT) during breast reconstruction. The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative outcomes and complications of LIFT and standard LDF (without immediate fat transfer) for breast reconstruction.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed charts from patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction after total mastectomy between 2011 and 2021. We compared intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between groups.
Results:
One hundred nineteen reconstructions (61.02%) were performed with LIFT, while seventy-six (38.98%) were performed with standard LDF. The median volume of total fat transferred during LIFT was 125-cc [110-170 cc]. The rates of donor site wound disruption (23.7% versus 12.6%, p = 0.044) were higher using the standard LDF compared to LIFT. Reconstructions performed with LIFT (HR 4.01, p < 0.001) were found to be associated with secondary fat grafting procedures.
Conclusion:
LIFT is a safe procedure to enhance the volume of LDF in patients desiring autologous reconstruction without increasing recipient-site morbidity. On a time-to-event analysis, LIFT was associated with the requirement of further revision procedures using secondary fat grafting.
