Facial reconstruction in partial lipodystrophy

Lipodystrophy is a rare disease characterized by progressive disappearance of the subcutaneous fat of the upper part of the body. Accompanying abnormalities of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, diabetes, nephritis, and low levels of complement are frequent. The most striking clinical features are the extremely hollow cheeks, making the normal facial skeleton rather prominent. Very little has been reported on facial reconstruction in such patients. A 16-year-old girl is presented who was successfully reconstructed after the atrophic process arrested spontaneously. Bilateral dermal fat grafts from the buttocks were used in a one-stage procedure. Nine months later, when no more resorption of fat occurred, some trimming of the grafts was necessary. A good result was achieved.