Combined Mastopexy and Augmentation with Autologous Fat Grafting: First Results with Lipopexy

BACKGROUND: The treatment of breast ptosis and gland hypoplasia in a single surgery is a challenging procedure and the result is less predictable. In this surgery, the complications mainly concern the prosthesis, such as implant deflation, capsular contracture, palpability, or malposition. We, therefore, propose a different and new technique that avoids breast prosthesis, combining mastopexy and autologous augmentation with fat grafts. METHODS: Combined mastopexy and autologous fat graft augmentation (lipopexy) was performed in women affected by breast ptosis and asymmetric breast or hypomastia. The breast lift technique was determined due to the ptosis level. The process of fat grafting was executed according to the PureGraft and, in some cases, to GID System, to Celution System or Carraway’s techniques. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients affected by breast ptosis and hypomastia underwent lipopexy from January 2010 to May 2017. The mean volume of adipose tissue injected for each breast was 225.98 ml. After surgery, the patients were followed for an average of 22.8 months. A mild ptosis relapse with partial fat absorption was observed in 4 cases (11.76%) and the presence of oily cysts was diagnosed in 2 patients (5.88%). One severe complication was recorded (hematoma drainage). All the patients healed uneventfully in 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This technique allows the surgeon to distribute the desired fat volume along the breasts, avoids implants, and displayed stable results. This treatment has been demonstrated not to interfere with follow-up breast imaging. We, therefore, consider lipopexy a valuable and safe alternative to mastopexy and mild to moderate breast volume augmentation.