Analysis of complications from fat grafting performed at a public university hospital between 2015 and 2018: a cross-sectional retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Fat grafting consists of collecting fat from one fat donor area via liposuction, then reallocating this tissue into a receptor area through syringes and cannulas. According to the literature, it is a safe process used in aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries. The objective is to evaluate complication rates of fat grafting procedures performed in a public university hospital from 2015 to 2018 in comparison with data previously reported in the literature. Methods: A retrospective observational study developed at a public university hospital in Campinas-SP based on the revision of medical records of patients who underwent the fat grafting procedure in this institution from 2015 to 2018. Results: Regarding the complications, the vast majority corresponded to fat reabsorption (62%). Bruise corresponded to the second most common (38% of cases), followed by edema (19%). Pain and dyschromia followed next, with 10% and 7% of cases, respectively. Only one case of operative wound infection was described. Other less frequent complications included hyperemia (5%), asymmetries (5%), desquamation (2%), local paraesthesia (3%) and skin lesion (2%). No other larger complication was reported, such as fat embolism or severe surgical complications such as bleeding, sepsis, or anaphylaxis. Conclusion: The procedures of liposuction for fat collection and fat grafting were proved to be safe, yielding low complication rates in the studied sample, which agrees with data reported in the literature.

Keywords

• postoperative complications
• adipose tissue
• reconstructive surgical procedures
• lipectomy
• elective surgical procedures