Intratissular expansion-mediated, serial fat grafting: A step-by-step working algorithm to achieve 3D biological harmony in autologous breast reconstruction

Efficacy of Exclusive Fat Grafting for Breast Reconstruction: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Exclusive fat grafting is an alternative method to implant- or flap- based reconstruction techniques following mastectomies or breast conservation therapies. Its efficacy has been explored before but new data has come to light, resulting in previous results becoming outdated. Concerns have also been raised about the oncological safety of this procedure which must be evaluated alongside the efficacy to gain a comprehensive understanding of the merits of this alternative technique.

METHODS

We queried the PubMed electronic database from its inception until August 2023 for studies evaluating the efficacy and oncological safety of exclusive fat grafting breast reconstruction following cancer-related mastectomy or breast conservation therapy. Results of the analysis were pooled and presented as means or valid proportions. Results of the analysis were pooled using a random-effects model and presented with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) where appropriate.

RESULTS

41 studies were included in our analysis. Pooled results show that on average, 1.7 sessions of exclusive fat grafting were required to complete reconstruction in Breast Conservation Therapy (BCT) patients, with an average volume of 114.2 ml being injected. For mastectomy patients with irradiated breasts, 4.7 sessions were needed on average with 556.8 ml being required to complete reconstruction, compared to their non-irradiated Counterparts requiring only 2.6 sessions and 207.2 ml to complete reconstruction. Oncological recurrence events were found in 29/583 non-irradiated mastectomy patients (p = 0.014) and in 41/517 BCT patients (p = 0.301) CONCLUSION: Exclusive fat grafting is an oncologically safe and reasonably efficacious alternative to more common methods of breast reconstruction. More data is needed to fully characterize the oncological safety of this procedure in irradiated and non-irradiated mastectomy patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Long term observation of de novo adipogenesis using novel bioabsorbable implants with larger size in a porcine model

Introduction

The regeneration of adipose tissue in patients after breast cancer surgery would be desirable without the use of growth factors or cells to avoid potential recurrence and metastasis. We reported that prolate spheroidal-shaped poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) mesh implants of approximately 18-mm polar diameter and 7.5-mm greatest equatorial diameter containing collagen sponge (CS) would be replaced by regenerated adipose tissue after implantation, thereby suggesting an innovative method for breast reconstruction. Our study aimed to evaluate the adipose tissue regeneration ability of implant aggregates in a porcine model.

Methods

We prepared implant aggregates consisting of thirty PLLA mesh implants containing CS packed in a woven poly (glycolic acid) bag. The implant aggregates were inserted under the mammary glands in the porcine abdomen for a year. Single and double groups were classified by inserting either one or two implant aggregates on each side of the abdomen, respectively.

Results

In both groups, the volume of the implant aggregates decreased over time, and the formation of adipose tissue peaked between 6 and 9 months. Histologically, the formation of adipose tissue was confirmed in the area that was in contact with native adipose tissue.

Conclusions

Our implant aggregates could induce the autologous adipose tissue after long term implantation in vivo, without the use of any growth factor or cell treatment, presenting a potential novel method of breast reconstruction.

Breast Reconstruction by Exclusive Lipofilling after Total Mastectomy for Breast Cancer: Description of the Technique and Evaluation of Quality of Life

Background: The objective of this work was to describe the technique of exclusive lipofilling in breast reconstruction after total mastectomy, to evaluate the satisfaction and quality of life of the patients, and to explore current literature on the subject. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational multicentric study from January 2013 to April 2020. The modalities of surgery, esthetic result, and patient satisfaction were evaluated with the breast reconstruction module of BREAST-Q. Results: Complete data were available for 37 patients. The mean number of sessions was 2.2 (standard deviation 1.1), spread over an average of 6.8 months (SD 6.9). The average total volume of fat transferred was 566.4 mL. The complication rate was 18.9%. No severe complication was observed (Clavien–Dindo 3/4). Two patients were diagnosed with recurrence, in a metastatic mode (5.4%). The average satisfaction rate was 68.4% (SD 24.8) for psychosocial well-being and 64.5% (SD 24.1) for sexual well-being. The satisfaction rate was 60.2% (SD 20.9) for the image of the reconstructed breast and 82.7% (SD 21.9) for locoregional comfort. Conclusions: Breast reconstruction by exclusive lipofilling after total mastectomy provides satisfactory quality of life scores. The simplicity of the surgical technique and equipment required, and the high satisfaction rate confirm that lipofilling should be included in the panel of choice of breast reconstruction techniques.

Scarless Composite Breast Reconstruction Utilizing an Advancement Skin Flap, Loops, and Lipofilling

BACKGROUND

Autologous fat grafting has gained popularity in breast reconstructive surgery. To further increase the breast volume and provide a reliable breast shape, a skin flap can be advanced from the upper abdomen and lateral thorax to the breast.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to propose a method of breast reconstruction utilizing the principles of power-assisted liposuction and lipofilling (PALL) for breast matrix dissociation applied through infiltration, tunnelization, extensive undermining and lipofilling, in combination with loops (PALLL) to recruit a vascularized flap to reshape the breast.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed from January 2014 to January 2019. Demographic data, surgical procedure information (including volumes of the recruited advancement flap and lipofilling, and stages of lipofilling), and complication data were collected. Patient-reported outcomes, including satisfaction and well-being, were measured by a questionnaire.

RESULTS

In total, 37 women (41 breasts) underwent breast reconstruction by PALLL with an average follow-up of 26 months. The mean age of the patients was 54 years, and their mean BMI was 29 kg/m2. The mean recruited flap volume was 197 mL, and the mean lipofilling volumes were 153 mL for the first session, 190 mL for the second session, and 110 mL for the third session. Nine patients needed 3 sessions, 27 patients 2 sessions, and 1 patient only 1 session. Overall, 94% of patients were satisfied with their breast shape. All patients reported sensitive breasts. There were minimal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast reconstruction with PALLL is a minimally invasive alternative to reconstructing and reshaping sensate breasts in which a vascularized skin flap recruited by loops from breast surroundings is combined with fat grafting. This approach provides long-term shape stability with minimal scarring and low complication rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Quality and Quantity-Cultured Human Mononuclear Cells Improve Human Fat Graft Vascularization and Survival in an In Vivo Murine Experimental Model

BACKGROUND

Fat graft ischemia impedes us from having satisfying long-term results. The quality and quantity culture is a 1-week cell culture that increases the vasculogenic potential of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC). This in vivo murine model investigates whether enrichment with quality and quantity-cultured human mononuclear cells (MNC-QQ) improves the vascularization in the human fat graft and whether this decreases the tissue loss.

METHODS

Human adipose tissue, PBMNC, MNC-QQ, and stromal vascular fraction were prepared. First, PBMNC, MNC-QQ, and stromal vascular fraction were compared in vitro for vasculogenic potential by endothelial progenitor cell colony-forming and culture assays. Second, 0.25-g fat grafts were created with 1 × 106 PBMNC (n = 16), 1 × 106 MNC-QQ (n = 16), 1 × 106 stromal vascular fraction (n = 16), or phosphate-buffered saline as control (n = 16) before grafting in BALB/c nude mice. Grafts were analyzed for weight persistence, vessel formation by CD31 immunohistochemistry, and angiogenic markers by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

MNC-QQ develop more definitive endothelial progenitor cell colonies and more functional endothelial progenitor cells compared to PBMNC and stromal vascular fraction. Weight persistence after 7 weeks was significantly higher in grafts with MNC-QQ (89.8 ± 3.5 percent) or stromal vascular fraction (90.1 ± 4.2 percent) compared with control (70.4 ± 6.3 percent; p < 0.05). MNC-QQ-enriched grafts had the highest vessel density (96.6 ± 6.5 vessels/mm2; control, 70.4 ± 5.6 vessels/mm2; p < 0.05). MNC-QQ exerted a direct vasculogenic effect through vascular integration and a potential paracrine vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated effect.

CONCLUSION

Quality and quantity-cultured human mononuclear cells containing endothelial progenitor cells stimulate fat graft vascularization and enhance graft survival in a rodent recipient.

Composite Breast Remodeling After Implant Removal by Tissue Recruitment and Loops Fixation With Power-Assisted Liposuction and Lipofilling (PALLL)

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of women wish breast implant removal whilst maintaining an acceptable projection and form were possible.

OBJECTIVES

The authors propose a technique to remodel the breast after implant removal utilizing internal suture loops to project the breast, recruit abdominal and axillary tissue cranially and medially, and provide a matrix for lipofilling.

METHODS

A prospective analysis was performed of consecutive patients undergoing implant extraction followed by power-assisted liposuction loops and lipofilling. Patient characteristics were measured. The aesthetic results were evaluated by 2 independent raters. Patient-reported satisfaction was measured by standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

Implants in 52 patients with an average age of 55 and body mass index of 23.7 were extracted followed by breast remodeling. A total of 73% of patients had implants for aesthetic reasons, 41% were smokers, and 43% of the reconstruction cases received radiotherapy. A total of 28% had implant extraction for rupture, 58% for capsular contracture, and 14% due to pain and migration. The average volume of the implants removed was 292 cc, followed by an average lipofilling of 223 cc, yielding a ratio of 0.76 to 1. The average tissue recruited by loops was 82.5 cc. Independent raters measured 79% of results as good, 13% as acceptable, and 8% as requiring improvement; 80% of patients were satisfied to very satisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors propose implant extraction followed by power-assisted liposuction loops and lipofilling can provide footprint definition, sustained projection, and high patient satisfaction. Moreover, the recruitment of a vascularized adipo-cutaneous flap by loops allows a reduced ratio of fat grafting to implant volume.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Lipofilling in Breast Oncological Surgery: A Safe Opportunity or Risk for Cancer Recurrence?

Lipofilling (LF) is a largely employed technique in reconstructive and esthetic breast surgery. Over the years, it has demonstrated to be extremely useful for treatment of soft tissue defects after demolitive or conservative breast cancer surgery and different procedures have been developed to improve the survival of transplanted fat graft. The regenerative potential of LF is attributed to the multipotent stem cells found in large quantity in adipose tissue. However, a growing body of pre-clinical evidence shows that adipocytes and adipose-derived stromal cells may have pro-tumorigenic potential. Despite no clear indication from clinical studies has demonstrated an increased risk of cancer recurrence upon LF, these observations challenge the oncologic safety of the procedure. This review aims to provide an updated overview of both the clinical and the pre-clinical indications to the suitability and safety of LF in breast oncological surgery. Cellular and molecular players in the crosstalk between adipose tissue and cancer are described, and heterogeneous contradictory results are discussed, highlighting that important issues still remain to be solved to get a clear understanding of LF safety in breast cancer patients.

The Prepectoral, Hybrid Breast Reconstruction: The Synergy of Lipofilling and Breast Implants

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Breast reconstruction modalities are based on autologous tissue transfer, implants, or a combination of both. The aim of an allogeneic breast reconstruction is to minimize the impact of the implant on surrounding tissues to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result. Accurate tissue coverage, proper implant selection, and implant location are the absolute concerns in planning an implant-based reconstruction.

Long-term impact of lipofilling in hybrid breast reconstruction: retrospective analysis of two cohorts

Lipofilling has recently gained popularity as a tool in primary treatment of breast cancer, and its association with two-stage implant breast reconstruction is considered as standard treatment in many centers. However, no data are available about the long-term results of the association of lipofilling in combination with expander-implant reconstruction. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients treated between January 2010 and December 2014. Two groups were compared. Group 1 had a standard expander-implant two-stage reconstruction. Group 2 underwent hybrid breast reconstruction (HBR). Patient characteristics, hospitalization, outcomes, reoperation details, outpatient visits, and evaluation questionnaires were taken into consideration. Intergroup comparison was performed using Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. Two hundred fourteen patients were evaluated: 130 patients in group 1 and 84 patients in group 2. Group 2 showed significant benefits over group 1 in terms of capsular contracture rate, breast pain, and displacement/rotation of the implant (p = 0.005). The HBR protocol is associated with lower rate of capsular contracture, less breast pain at long follow-up times, and lower overall rates of revision surgery compared to standard expander-implant reconstruction. A specific cost analysis will help further clarify the advantages of this protocol over a standard procedure.

Level of Evidence: Level III, risk/prognostic, therapeutic study.

The Preparation of the Recipient Site in Fat Grafting: A Comprehensive Review of the Preclinical Evidence

BACKGROUND

Several methods to prepare the recipient site in fat grafting have been proposed in recent decades. However, to date, these procedures have never been reviewed exhaustively. The purpose of the present study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the different techniques to prepare the recipient site for fat grafting as they were investigated in preclinical studies, with resulting outcomes and underlying mechanisms of action.

METHODS

The PubMed/MEDLINE database was queried to search for preclinical investigations on the preparation of the recipient site in fat grafting using the following algorithm: ((recipient site) AND (fat grafting) OR (lipofilling) OR (lipograft)). A priori criteria were applied to review the resulting articles.

RESULTS

Thirteen animal studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, five techniques were identified: external volume expansion, implantation of alloplastic material (silicone sheets), administration of cell-proliferation factors (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor, adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction, and interleukin-8), ischemia, and microneedling. A positive effect on cellular activity (cell proliferation and angiogenesis) was demonstrated by all studies and achieved with all techniques. Seven of the eight authors who examined this aspect reported enhancement of fat graft survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement of fat grafting surgical outcomes is documented preclinically using different recipient-site preparation techniques, particularly through enhancement of vascularization and soft-tissue expansion. This understanding will lead to further clinical research, especially for those cases where improvement of the recipient site is recommended, such as contracted scars or preirradiated tissues.

Total Breast Reconstruction with Fat Grafting Combined with Internal Tissue Expansion

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Breast reconstruction procedures are currently performed as standard practice and are an integral part of breast cancer treatment. The advantages and disadvantages of particular types of reconstruction are well known. Most of them require the woman to accept a different consistency of the reconstructed breast, as is the case with implants, or to have extra scarring in the donor site and a cutaneous island with a different texture in the recipient site, as is the case with TRAM, DIEP, and other flaps. This article presents the concept of breast reconstruction with fat grafting combined with internal tissue expansion. A 44-year-old woman after a right mastectomy for invasive carcinoma T1c, N0 (IIB) was presented. After unsatisfactory treatment with fat grafting supported by BRAVA system, she was qualified for breast reconstruction with fat grafting combined with tissue expansion. An anatomic 350 cm³ breast expander with an integrated port was implanted. It was filled with saline solution up to volume of 380 ml. Then, 7 fat grafting procedures combined with gradual emptying of the expander were performed. The 50/70 principle was used, that is, 50 ml of physiological saline was removed from the expander and 70 ml of fat was injected into the subcutaneous tissue over the expander. Finally, the expander was removed and a satisfactory volume and completely natural consistency of the breast was obtained. Breast reconstruction with fat grafting combined with tissue expansion is a promising method of total breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Efficacy of breast reconstruction with fat grafting: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Breast reconstruction with fat grafting is a new alternative to prosthetic implants and flaps for women with breast cancer. In this study, we investigate the efficacy of fat grafting for breast reconstruction in a meta-analysis.

METHODS

The study followed the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Studies were included if the patients underwent complete breast reconstruction with fat grafting as the only treatment modality. The number of fat grafting treatments needed to complete a breast reconstruction was modeled in a meta-analysis for five treatment categories: modified radical mastectomy, skin-sparing mastectomy, and breast-conserving surgery; the two mastectomy groups were subdivided into nonirradiated and irradiated.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis. The studies comprised 1011 breast reconstructions in 834 patients. The estimated numbers of treatments to complete a reconstruction were 2.84-4.66 in the mastectomy groups and 1.72 in the breast-conserving surgery group. The number of fat grafting sessions needed to complete a breast reconstruction was significantly higher for the irradiated patients than for the nonirradiated patients (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of fat grafting sessions needed to complete a breast reconstruction after a modified radical mastectomy versus a skin-sparing mastectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an evidence-based foundation for several practical issues related to breast reconstruction with fat grafting. The analysis showed that radiotherapy is the most important factor associated with the number of treatment sessions needed to complete a breast reconstruction and with the rate of complications.

'Reverse expansion': A new technique of breast reconstruction with autologous tissue

The treatment for breast cancer is sometimes long and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In 2010, in our centre, we began to perform fat grafting for breast reconstruction using the so-called 'reverse expansion' technique. This consists of the insertion of a skin expander during mastectomy, in its expansion and then in its gradual deflation in the surgical theatre during fat grafting. We performed a complete breast reconstruction in 57 patients by reverse expansion. We harvested fat from the fat excess areas using a normal liposuction cannula. From each patient, an average of 640 ccs of was collected and then centrifuged in a 4000-rpm centrifuge for 3 min. The obtained adipocytes were then injected in the operated breast using a normal lipofilling cannula. We injected an average of 318.05 ccs of adipocytes for each patient each time. The average number of sessions per patient was 3.6. Reverse expansion can be a safe and effective technique for breast reconstruction in all the breast cancer patients.

Composite breast reconstruction: Implant-based breast reconstruction with adjunctive lipofilling

INTRODUCTION

Options for breast reconstructions enclose autologous tissue transfers or implants. Fat grafting is gaining more interest in this specific field of breast surgery. This study concentrates on the technique and aesthetic results of breast reconstruction with fat grafts combined with implants, in women who have undergone total mastectomy.

METHODS

Breast reconstructions (n = 23) was performed using a protocol of intratissular expansion with serial deflation-lipofilling. In order to achieve the best aesthetic outcome, an additional small implant was placed. A retrospective data analysis was performed. In all patients a tissue expander was placed at the time of mastectomy or after removal of a previous breast reconstruction. The mean of lipoaspirate material for the reconstruction was 333 mL (range 120-715 mL). To create an adequate volume of the reconstructed breast, a supplementary small implant was placed, with a mean volume of 222 mL (range 125-375 mL). The mean follow-up was 33 months (range 19-50 months).

RESULTS

A MRI analysis was performed in eight patients at least 9 months after the last lipofilling procedure, demonstrating a mean of 171 mL (range 64-538 mL) of transferred fat, a mean fat survival of 53% and a volume ratio of fat graft/implant of 0.97 (range 0,3-3,8).

CONCLUSION

This composite technique of using autologous fat tissue and implants shows aesthetic pleasant results and must be considered as a valid alternative in a subset of patients. Further investigations to optimize the fat graft take must be encouraged.