Lipofilling in reconstruction
Lipofilling is the transfer of fat from one part of the body to another. The fat is removed by liposuction and reinjected to reshape or reconstruct the breast. The fat can be taken from the stomach, thighs, knees, hips, depending on your morphology and your choices.
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La révolution du lipofilling
Les lipofillings mammaires en reconstruction
Dr Isabelle Sarfati
Chirurgie reconstructrice et esthétique
The advantages of lipofilling
This technique has revolutionized breast reconstructions. It makes it possible to improve prosthetic reconstructions by increasing the thickness of natural tissue and masking the contours of the prosthesis. Similarly, it is possible to improve flap reconstructions by modifying the shape and/or volume.
The contours of the left prosthetic reconstruction are masked by lipofilling.
When the tissues of the chest wall are too thin after a mastectomy, it is possible to do a lipofilling before the reconstruction by prosthesis. Increasing the thickness of the tissues reduces complications and gives a more natural result.
Lipofilling can be done in several circumstances
- Before a reconstruction to increase the thickness of the tissues and secure the prosthesis.
- At the same time as a reconstruction to mask the prosthesis.
- After a reconstruction to improve the result.
- In some cases it is possible to replace a small prosthesis with fillings, provided that there is enough fat and the patient is willing to undergo several procedures.
Modalities of the intervention for a filling
- The procedure takes about an hour.
- The anesthesia is general.
- The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis with a same day discharge or over 24 hours (discharge the next day).
- The dressings are kept for 3 to 5 days.
- A panty or a compression bodysuit must be worn at the end of the procedure to limit the formation of hematoma on the liposuction areas.
- Rest and cessation of sports are recommended for 1 to 5 days.
- It is necessary to wait at least 2 months between each filling.
Possible complications
Filling sometimes causes the formation of small palpable cysts or nodules, easily identified on ultrasound as being benign. Nevertheless, they interfere with the clinical examination: the doctor or gynecologist who finds them by palpation will prescribe additional examinations since any breast nodule requires investigation, whether after cancer or in a patient with no previous history. It is often possible to remove cysts by puncturing them.
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