Internal and external carotid artery embolism following facial injection of autologous fat

Fat embolism following fat grafting: A systematic review of reported cases

Background

This systematic review aims to consolidate and analyze reported cases of fat embolism following fat grafting, focusing on patient demographics, procedural characteristics, clinical features, diagnostic methods, management strategies, and outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus, up to January 31, 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed case presentations diagnosing fat embolism or fat embolism syndrome post-fat grafting in patients over the age of 18 years. Data were extracted using EndNote® X21.

Results

From 1051 identified studies, 71 met inclusion criteria, encompassing 137 patients. The mean patient age was 36.22 years, with 90.5 % being female. Liposuction was the predominant fat harvesting method. Ocular signs were the most common presentation (50.8 %), followed by neurological (42.2 %) and cardiopulmonary (32.0 %) symptoms. Diagnostic methods varied, including imaging and histopathology. Supportive care was the primary management strategy. The overall mortality rate was 34.3 %, with 88.6 % of survivors experiencing permanent sequelae.

Discussion

This study acknowledges several limitations in evidence, including heterogeneity, recall bias, language limitations, and potential publication bias due to studies with worse outcomes. Fat embolism following fat grafting, though rare, can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and prompt management are crucial. This review highlights the need for standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes in fat grafting procedures.

Other

This study received no external funding and was previously registered with the Prospective International Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).

Cerebral fat embolism following autologous fat injection in facial reconstruction: A case report

BACKGROUND

Autologous fat injection in facial reconstruction is a common cosmetic surgery. Although cerebral fat embolism (CFE) as a complication is rare, it carries serious health risks.

CASE SUMMARY

We present a case of a 29-year-old female patient who developed acute CFE following facial fat filling surgery. After the surgery, the patient experienced symptoms including headache, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing, which was followed by neurological symptoms such as slurred speech and left-sided weakness. Comprehensive physical examination and auxiliary investigations, including blood tests, head and neck computed tomography angiography, and cranial magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging, were performed upon admission. The clinical diagnosis was acute cerebral embolism following facial fat filling surgery. Treatment included measures to improve cerebral circulation, dehydration for intracranial pressure reduction, nutritional support, and rehabilitation therapy for left limb function. The patient showed a significant improvement in symptoms after 2 weeks of treatment. She recovered left limb muscle strength to grade 5, had clear speech, and experienced complete relief of headache.

CONCLUSION

Our case highlights the potential occurrence of severe complications in patients undergoing fat injection in facial reconstruction. To prevent these complications, plastic surgeons should enhance their professional knowledge and skills.

Complications Associated with Facial Autologous Fat Grafting for Aesthetic Purposes: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background

With the increasing demand for aesthetic procedures, autologous fat grafting (AFG) seems to be an attractive option for facial volumization and rejuvenation. The aim of this study was to assess the type and severity of associated complications after facial AFG for aesthetic purposes.

Methods

The entire PubMed/Medline and Cochrane databases were screened to identify studies describing complications that occurred after the injection of autologous fat into the face. These complications have been reviewed and analyzed according to their occurrence and severity in the different anatomical regions of the face.

Results

Twenty-two articles including 38 patients reported on a total of 58 complications. Thirty-two complications have been classified as severe or permanent, including hemiplegia (n = 11), loss of vision (n = 7), or skin necrosis (n = 3). The other 26 complications were classified as mild or transient, such as lipogranuloma (n = 12) or mycobacterial abscess (n = 2). The majority of complications were reported after injection to the forehead (n = 26) and the temporal region (n = 21). Interestingly, this location seems to be the area at risk because 53% of all severe complications occurred in this anatomical region.

Conclusions

AFG to the face is associated with a low incidence of complications, but if they occur, they can be dramatic, particularly in the forehead and temporal region. Nevertheless, AFG can be used to correct age-related changes of the face and volume loss and may represent an alternative to synthetic fillers. Therefore, AFG to the face should be performed by qualified doctors under careful consideration of risks and facial anatomy.

Arterial Embolism After Facial Fat Grafting: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

While autologous fat grafting of the face is considered a generally safe procedure, severe complications such as arterial embolism (AE) have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize data on injection-related visual compromise, stroke, and death caused by arterial embolism after facial fat transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plastic surgery societies were contacted for reports on AE after autologous facial fat injection. In addition, a systematic literature review was performed. Data extracted included study design, injection site/technique, symptoms, management, outcome, and etiology.

RESULTS

61 patients with a mean age of 33.56 ± 11.45 years were reported. Injections targeted the glabella or multiple facial regions (both n = 16/61, 26.2%) most commonly, followed by injections in the temples (n = 10/61, 16.4%) and the forehead (n = 9/61, 14.8%). The mean volume injected was 21.5 ± 21.5 ml. Visual symptoms were described most frequently (n = 24/58, 41.4%) followed by neurological symptoms (n = 20/58, 34.5%), or both (n = 13/58, 22.4%). Ophthalmic artery (OA, n = 26/60, 43.3%), anterior or middle cerebral artery (CA, n = 11/60, 18.3%) or both (n = 14/60, 23.3%) were most frequently occluded. Outcome analysis revealed permanent vision loss in all patients with OA occlusion (n = 26/26, 100%), neurological impairment in most patients with CA occlusion (n = 8/10, 80%), and vision loss in most patients suffering from both OA and CA occlusion (n = 7/11, 63.6%). Six patients died following embolisms.

CONCLUSIONS

AE causes severe complications such as blindness, stroke, and death. Due to a lack of high-quality data, no evidence-based treatment algorithms exist. To increase patient safety, a database collecting cases and complications should be established.

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 .

Case report and literature review: fatal cerebral fat embolism following facial autologous fat graft

Background

Severe cerebral artery embolism is a rare complication of facial autologous fat injection. However, its incidence has markedly increased with the recent rise in facial cosmetic procedures.

Case presentation

We report a 31-year-old Chinese woman who presented with unconsciousness 6 h after having undergone a facial autologous fat injection. A neurological examination revealed stupor, bilaterally diminished pupillary light reflexes, right-sided central facial palsy, and no reaction to pain stimulation of right limbs. Diffusion-weighted imaging displayed patchy hyperintense lesions in the left frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated fat embolism in the left internal carotid artery, anterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery. We immediately performed mechanical thrombectomy under sufficient preoperative preparations but failed to achieve complete recanalization. Pathological examination of the embolus confirmed the presence of adipocytes. Although we actively administered symptomatic and supportive treatments, the patient eventually died due to the progression of cerebral herniation and systemic infection.

Conclusion

Due to the ineffectiveness of current treatment and the inferior prognosis, fat embolism, a severe complication of autologous fat graft, should draw the attention of both plastic surgeons and neurologists so that actions may be taken for both its prevention and treatment.

Embolie graisseuse carotidienne dans les suites d’un lipofilling temporal

Lipofilling is a well-known procedure, initially described by Coleman in 1991. Many cases of fat embolism following this procedure are published. Our patient had a common carotid fat embolism after a temporal autologous fat graft.

Aesthetic Effect of Autologous Fat Transplantation on Frontotemporal Depression Filling and Its Influence on SCL-90 and SES of Patients

Objectives

This study aimed to study the aesthetic effect of autologous fat transplantation in frontotemporal depression filling as well as the influence on the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES) score of patients.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with frontotemporal depression admitted to the outpatient department of burn and plastic surgery in our hospital were selected as the observation group, and all of them received autologous fat transplantation. The filling effect of patients in the observation group was discussed. Simultaneously, 50 volunteers were selected as the control group to compare the SCL-90 and SES scores of the observation group and the control group.

Result

① A total of 100 patients with frontotemporal depression were treated with autologous fat transplantation, and the secondary autologous fat transplantation rate was 10%; two cases of fat absorption occurred during the 12-month follow-up after surgery; on the 7th day, 6 months, and 12 months after the operation, the satisfaction rate of the patients who visited the doctor was 96.00%, 97%, and 92.00%; the satisfaction rate of the plastic surgeon was 94.00%, 96%, and 90.00%; the satisfaction rate of the third party was 96.00%, 98%, and 92.00%. ② The preoperative scores of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, terror, paranoia, and psychotic factor scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The scores of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, terror, paranoia, and psychotic factor scores in the observation group at 6 months after the operation were lower than those before operation (P < 0.05). The preoperative SES score of the observation group (28.51 ± 9.81) was significantly lower than that of the control group (32.47 ± 5.39) (P < 0.05). The SES score (34.17 ± 9.81) in the observation group at 6 months after the operation was significantly higher than that before the operation (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The aesthetic effect of autologous fat transplantation in frontotemporal depression filling is good and safe. Simultaneously, it can improve the mental health and self-esteem of patients and has high clinical value.

Facial Fat Grafting (FFG): Worth the Risk? A Systematic Review of Complications and Critical Appraisal

Introduction: Autologous fat is ideal soft tissue filler. It is easily accessible, biocompatible, cheap, and it provides both volume augmentation and skin quality improvement. Fat grafting has been used since 1893, but it has only gained widespread popularity since the development of modern liposuction by Colemann and Illouz in the 1980s. Every year more than half a million facial fat grafting procedures are carried out worldwide and the trend is rapidly increasing. Overall, general complications associated with facial fat grafting are assumed to be around 2%. Is that true? Material and Methods: Until July 2021, a systematic search of the literature was performed interrogating PubMed search engines. The following algorithm was used for the research: (fat graft OR lipofilling) AND face AND complications. Exclusion criteria applied hierarchically were review articles, not reporting recipient site complications; not in English and paediatric population. Abstracts were manually screened by LS, GS, JM and PDS separately and subsequently matched for accuracy. Pertinent full-text articles were retrieved and analysed and data were extracted from the database. The flow chart of article selection is described following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results: In total, 462 papers were identified by PubMed search. A total of 359 were excluded: 38 papers were not in English, 41 were review articles, 279 articles did not report recipient site complications and 1 was not on human subjects. Average complication rate ranged from 1.5% to 81.4%. A total of 298 adverse events were identified: 40 (13.4%) intravascular injections, 13 (4.3%) asymmetry, 57 (19.1%) irregularities, 22 (7.4%) graft hypertrophy, 21 (7%) fat necrosis, 73 (24.5%) prolonged oedema, 1 (0.3%) infection, 6 (2%) prolonged erythema, 15 (5%) telangiectasia and 50 (16.8%) cases of acne activation. Conclusions: FFG related side effects could be resumed in three categories: severe, moderate, and minor. Severe (13.4%) side effects such as intravascular injection or migration require neurological or neurosurgical management and often lead to permanent disability or death. Moderate (38.3%) side effects such as fat hypertrophy, necrosis, cyst formation, irregularities and asymmetries require a retouch operation. Minor (48.3%) side effects such as prolonged oedema or erythema require no surgical management. Despite the fact that the overall general complication rate of facial fat grafting is assumed to be around 2%, the real complication rate of facial fat grafting is unknown due to a lack of reporting and the absence of consensus on side effect definition and identification. More RCTs are necessary to further determine the real complication rate of this procedure.

Fat Embolism After Autologous Facial Fat Grafting

BACKGROUND

Autologous facial fat grafting has gained popularity in recent years and is considered to be safe. This paper presents the case of a patient who died due to massive cerebral microfat embolism after facial fat grafting.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to raise awareness and provide more evidence on the prevention and treatment of this potentially lethal complication of facial fat grafting.

METHODS

A detailed report was made of the case. Two online databases were searched for similar cases of facial fat embolism resulting in neurologic and/or visual symptoms. Thereafter a literature search was conducted to verify the etiology, current treatment options, and preventive measures.

RESULTS

Forty-nine cases with similar events were found in the literature. The most common injected area was the glabella (36.1%), and an average of 16.7 mL fat was injected. The main complications were visual impairment, with 88.5% of cases resulting in permanent monocular blindness, and neurologic symptoms, some of which never fully recovered. Including the present patient, 7 cases were fatal. Fat embolism can occur in the veins and arteries of the face. Two possible pathways for fat embolism exist: the macroscopic, mechanical pathway with immediate signs, and the microscopic, biochemical pathway with delayed symptoms. Mechanical embolectomy and corticosteroids are suggested treatment options but evidence for their efficacy is lacking. Several different preventive measures are described.

CONCLUSIONS

Although facial fat grafting is considered a safe procedure, one should be aware of the risk of fat embolism. Underreporting of this adverse event is likely. With no effective treatment and often detrimental outcomes, preventive measures are of utmost importance to improve patient safety.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Cerebral Embolism as a Result of Facial Filler Injections: A Literature Review

Background

With the growth in the popularity of facial filler injections, increased numbers of severe adverse events, such as cerebral embolism, have been reported.

Objectives

The aim of this article was to summarize the clinical manifestations and proposed mechanisms of filler-induced cerebral embolism (FICE).

Methods

A literature review was performed with the search keywords “filler injection,” “hyaluronic acid,” “fat graft,” “cerebral infarction,” “cerebral embolism,” “stroke,” “cerebrovascular infarction,” “disorders of consciousness,” and “hemiplegia.”

Results

Among the 43 cases of FICE enrolled from 35 articles, 37 patients were female, and 6 were male. Twenty-nine of these patients had received fat grafting, and 12 hyaluronic acid injection. Most FICE patients had been injected in the glabella, followed by the temporal, forehead, and nasal areas. Among 30 patients injected under local anesthesia, 43.33% presented with neurologic symptoms during the procedure. The main symptoms were consciousness disorders and hemiplegia. Most of the embolization sites were in the middle cerebral artery, followed by frontal lobe infarction and anterior cerebral artery infarction. Three patients developed cerebral hemorrhage after embolism. Twenty-six patients presented with newly acquired vision loss. The management for FICE cases included embolectomy, thrombolysis, decompressive craniectomy, antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy, and symptomatic and nutritional treatment. Nearly half of the patients recovered or exhibited improved neurologic manifestations but not visual loss. Five patients died.

Conclusions

FICE is a severe complication following facial filler injection. Careful prevention, timely identification, and treatment are crucial to decreasing the morbidity and mortality of FICE.

Level of Evidence: 4

Superior Ophthalmic Vein Embolism Following Forehead Augmentation with Autologous Fat Injection

Background

Facial rejuvenation and reconstruction with autologous fat injection are a common and effective procedure used worldwide. Most surgeons and patients are satisfied with the favorable outcomes. However, catastrophic complications from arterial and venous occlusion resulting in visual loss and stroke may occur.

Case presentation

We herein report a case of isolated venous occlusion from fat embolism. The patient developed acute painful proptosis and blurred vision of her right eye while undergoing an esthetic autologous fat injection into her forehead. Based on her clinical manifestations and radiologic findings, the patient was diagnosed with superior ophthalmic vein occlusion. Symptomatic and supportive treatments were given. Spontaneous clinical improvement occurred without secondary complications. Therefore, the initially planned endovascular therapy with transfemoral transvenous embolectomy of the right superior ophthalmic vein was canceled.

Conclusions

Facial augmentation with autologous fat injection can cause superior ophthalmic vein embolism. Surgeons should therefore perform this procedure very cautiously. Prompt ophthalmological evaluation and proper management are important for improving clinical outcomes.

Level of Evidence V

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.

Case Report and Literature Review: Catastrophic Embolism Following Cosmetic Injection of Autologous Fat in the Face

Injection of autologous fat on the face is a commonly performed procedure in plastic surgery. However, it can lead to rare but devastating complications due to fat embolism. In this study, we presented two cases of cerebral infarction and/or sudden vision loss after cosmetic injections of autologous fat on the face. Two women underwent injections into the temporal and frontal areas, respectively. In case 1, the patient underwent decompressive craniectomy as her condition deteriorated continuously and died. In case 2, the patient's vision had not improved at the 3-month follow-up visit. Imaging examinations showed occlusion of the right external carotid artery in case 1, and multiple retinal arterioles were segmentally occluded in case 2. We also screened relevant studies via a systematic search of PubMed (last updated on May 9, 2020) and performed a narrative review due to the significant heterogeneity between the studies. To prevent this catastrophic event, the autologous fat injection should be performed carefully. If embolization does occur, early diagnosis and timely treatment may help improve functional outcomes.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Corticosteroid and Corticosteroid Combined with Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Both keloid and hypertrophic scars are common benign skin lesions manifested by hyperplasia of fibroblasts. Clinically, this will not only have physiological effects on patients, but also cause psychological damage. However, there is no unified standard treatment method at present. Intralesional corticosteroid injection alone and corticosteroid combined with botulinum toxin type A has been gradually found to be useful for the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars, but the difference in efficacy between the two is controversial.

METHODS

A systematic search was made of the relevant experiments from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

RESULTS

The scores of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Vancouver Scar Score sheet (VSS), scar thickness, itching degree and patient satisfaction after the combination of corticosteroid and botulinum toxin type A were superior than those after corticosteroid (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with corticosteroid alone, corticosteroid combined with botulinum toxin type A is more effective in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scar. Although clinical case studies for the treatment of keloid or hypertrophic scars are limited, it is necessary and helpful to understand the effectiveness of corticosteroid combined with botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of keloid or hypertrophic scars.

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 .

Delayed onset of fat embolus in the cerebral venous system after breast and hip augmentation: a case report

Background

Cerebral fat embolism (CFE) is a subtype of fat embolism syndrome which tends to cause ischemic cerebral infarction. Fat embolism in the cerebral venous system have not been reported. We hereby present a rare case of fat embolus formed in the cerebral venous system 10 days after cosmetic surgery, and describe our management of this patient.

Case presentation

A 26-year-old woman with the disturbance of consciousness and recurrent convulsions of the right upper extremity over a 21-h period was admitted to our hospital. The patient was initially diagnosed with haemorrhagic infarction, and cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) was suspected based on computed tomography (CT). A diagnosis of CFE was confirmed based on surgical findings. Breast and hip augmentation performed 10 days ago was considered the underlying cause. Drug-induced hypothermia, low molecular weight heparin, atorvastatin, dexamethasone, piperacillin/tazobactam, valproic acid, and mannitol were applied. On hospital day 30, she was discharged with a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 25.

Conclusions

Fat embolism can occur in the cerebral venous system, and may mimic CVT symptoms rather than CFE symptoms. Early identification of the nature of the embolus is essential. The use of heparin may prevent secondary thrombus formation, and accelerate fat embolus decomposition.

Severe Vascular Complications Caused by Facial Autologous Fat Grafting: A Critical Review

BACKGROUND

Vascular embolism is the most severe complication after autologous fat grafting. With a worldwide increase in fat grafting, there has been a rise in severe vascular complications, such as ophthalmic artery embolism, cerebral artery embolism, and even death. This article aims to review the role of fat in causing severe vascular complications and the association between fat grafting and severe vascular complications.

METHODS

A critical review was conducted by appraising the cases of severe vascular complications associated with facial fat grafting reported globally. Repeated cases that were reported in multiple publications were further screened.

RESULTS

The final search yielded 50 publications in English that met the inclusion criteria for review. A total of 113 cases of fat-induced severe vascular complications in the literature were identified. The number of cases reported yearly has increased over time, with even more significant increases since 2010. The glabella and temple are the most common sites of severe vascular complications described in the literature. In addition, only one case of ophthalmic artery embolism and one case of cerebral artery embolism have been treated successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the increase in reported cases of severe vascular complications, both doctors and patients should pay careful attention to the risks of facial fat grafting. Because of the unclear mechanism of vascular embolism and the lack of guidelines for prevention and treatment, the effective cure rate is unsatisfactory. We propose that preventing vascular embolism is a priority in fat grafting and that timely, multidisciplinary treatment should be performed when severe vascular complications occur. It is necessary in future studies to explore the mechanisms of vascular embolism and effective treatment strategies to promote the development of fat grafting.

Massive Cerebral Infarction Following Facial Injection of Autologous Fat: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Facial fat grafting techniques often offer impressive surgical results. However, fatal complications, such as irreversible cerebral ischemia, blindness, and hemiplegia are associated with them. We have presented a case report of a patient who presented with a massive cerebral infarction, a serious complication of facial autologous fat injection. The patient was a 28-year-old female who experienced motor dysfunction of the left extremities, which was accompanied with loss of consciousness immediately following fat grafting for facial augmentation. Imaging studies suggested that the patient had a large cerebral infarction on the right frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes due to complete occlusion of her right external carotid artery. Emergency decompressive craniectomy was completed in addition to multiple follow-up medical treatments. The patient recovered after 4 months with reduced motor function in her left upper extremity. This report further summarizes published cases of massive cerebral ischemia after facial injection of autologous fat, as well as lists high-risk facial areas and critical warnings.

Infrared Thermally Enhanced 3-Dimensional Time of Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography Imaging for the Visualization of the Arteries of the Face

Background

The face is known for its extreme variation in vascular anatomy. Furthermore, the rapidly increasing number of filler treatments leads to an increase in severe filler-associated complications (such as skin necrosis and blindness) due to intra-arterial injection. Visualizing a patient’s individual complete facial arterial anatomy in a contrast- and radiation-free way has not been published before. This innovative imaging technique could, therefore, enhance the safety of minimally invasive surgical procedures as it provides a harmless way to map the arteries of the face.

Objectives

Evaluate a newly developed imaging technique to visualize the arteries of the face in a noninvasive and radiation-free manner.

Methods

The individual arterial facial anatomy of 20 volunteers was studied by an imaging technique, combining infrared (IR) facial warming and 3-dimensional (3D) time of flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The source and maximum intensity projection images were assessed by 2 investigators, familiar with the anatomy of the face.

Results

The MRA technique visualized most of the main facial arteries, albeit in a variable way. The main facial branches of the external carotid artery (facial, angular, supralabial, and superficial temporal arteries) were illustrated well, whereas the visualization of the internal carotid branches (supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries) and nasal branches (dorsal nasal and lateral nasal arteries) was less consistent.

Conclusions

The combination of IR “heat-induced enhancement” and a 3D-TOF MRA sequence may actually be an important step toward the visualization of the variable facial vascular anatomy in a noninvasive, radiation-free, and contrast-free manner.

Prevention and Management of Serious Complications After Facial Fat Grafting

Facial fat grafting is increasing worldwide. Although there are few reports in the literature on complications following facial lipofilling, rare but serious complications include embolic risk to local end organs such as the skin and eye, and the central nervous system. Treatment strategies are outlined. The key to prevention of complications is understanding the regional anatomy. It is imperative to adhere to the safe and efficacious techniques to minimize risk. Every surgeon who performs facial fat grafting should establish a systematic method to deliver safe, consistent, and long-term results for their patients.

Internal Carotid Artery Embolism After Autologous Fat Injection for Temporal Augmentation

BACKGROUND

There have been several reports of patients experiencing cerebral embolisms following the injection of autologous fat into the face during cosmetic surgery. These embolisms likely resulted from unintentional introduction of fat particles into facial arteries, which then reached the cerebral arteries by retrograde motion.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe here a patient who developed an internal carotid artery (ICA) embolism after autologous fat injection for temporal augmentation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a pathologically proven ICA embolism after fat injection into the face.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the fat particles reached the cerebral arteries via a previously unknown pathway.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

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 .

Critical Differences between Microscopic (MIFE) and Macroscopic (MAFE) Fat Embolism during Liposuction and Gluteal Lipoinjection

BACKGROUND

Liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection are two of the most frequent surgical procedures in body contouring surgery, and two of the most important complications are microscopic (MIFE) and macroscopic (MAFE) fat embolism. Despite a high index of morbidity and mortality, few reports exist about these complications, and although they have the same causal agent, their etiopathogenesis, clinical evolution, treatment, prognosis, and prevention are totally different. Therefore, the authors performed a comprehensive review of the literature to exhaustively analyze both pathologic conditions and present the differences between them.

METHODS

A detailed search was carried out in PubMed of studies on humans from 1946 to March of 2017 in any language and including the keywords microscopic fat embolism and macroscopic fat embolism with either liposuction or gluteal lipoinjection. The articles found were selected according to the search criteria and were analyzed to provide the final data and recommendations.

RESULTS

Of the 1245 and 26 articles that were found on complications related to liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection, respectively, only 41 on liposuction and microscopic fat embolism and seven on gluteal lipoinjection and microscopic fat embolism met the specific criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Only two articles on liposuction and two on gluteal lipoinjection referred to macroscopic fat embolism as a complication.

CONCLUSION

Although microscopic fat embolism and macroscopic fat embolism are pathologic conditions with high morbidity and mortality rates in association with liposuction and gluteal lipoinjection, few reports about them exist; therefore, the authors made recommendations based on this study for their diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

Massive Cerebral Infarction Following Facial Fat Injection

BACKGROUND

Autologous facial fat injection is becoming popular around the world. Semiliquid fat grafts are used for correction of deformities or aesthetic purposes. Fat transfer is a mini-invasive surgical procedure, but causes severe complications occasionally.

METHODS

A 30-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with sudden unconsciousness and left limb weakness 8 h after facial fat injection. Brain arteriography (CTA) and venography were performed immediately after her admission. Frontal temporoparietal decompressive craniectomy plus multiple treatments was scheduled for the patient.

RESULTS

The patient was diagnosed with extensive cerebral infarction of the right hemisphere. CTA showed that both external and internal carotid arteries were obstructed. A sectional filling defect could be seen at the telecentric segment of the right carotid artery. No development was observed during the full course of the treatment at the carotid bifurcation, external carotid artery, or internal carotid artery.

CONCLUSION

Routine cosmetic procedures of facial fat injections could cause devastating and even fatal complications to patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

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 A5 online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.