[Fat grafting to improve severe tuberous breast]

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberous breast is a rare malformation that has major, negative physical and psychological impacts during puberty. A range of surgical techniques has been used to correct breast shape and volume in this context. Most techniques are based on a combination of skin plasty and mammary gland remodelling, in order to redistribute volumes. Prostheses and local-regional flaps can also be used to correct the missing volume. Fat grafting to the breast has been used in our department since 1998 as a complementary technique in breast reconstruction; it constitutes a natural way of providing volume and modifying the shape of the breast. Since 2000, we have extended this lipomodelling technique to the correction of thorax malformations in general and tuberous breasts in particular. Here, we describe our experience of the correction of severe tuberous breasts by fat grafting.

Patients and methods: Over an 11-year period, we performed a retrospective study on tuberous breast patients treated solely with fat grafting (i.e. without using an implant). Each breast deformation was graded according to the Grolleau classification. After aspiration, the fat was centrifuged and then transferred with a specific cannula. Using an 18-G trocar, we sometimes also performed fasioctomies to free up fibrous bridges and mammary gland remodelling. We evaluated the lipofilling for each case (number of sessions and mean fat transfer volume). Technical efficacy was evaluated in terms of patient's satisfaction and the surgeon's opinion. Safety was evaluated by screening for recipient site complications.

Results: We performed a retrospective study of 31 cases of tuberous breasts treated between January 2000 and December 2010. The severe tuberous breasts were type 3 in 10 cases. The mean patient age was 21 and the mean body mass index was 21.5. Two session (mean transfer volume: 380 cc) were required in every case. The mean follow-up period after the last fat transfer session was 6 years (range: 1-11). The patients were very satisfied in 90% of cases (n=9) and satisfied in 10% of cases (n=1). No complications were observed. Imaging performed before surgery and one year afterwards did not reveal any anomalies, other than oil cysts.

Conclusion: The treatment of severe tuberous breast with fat grafting is a reliable technique that produces excellent results and high levels of patient satisfaction. The aesthetic outcome is natural, implant-free and long-lasting. Fat grafting decreases local fibrosis and helps (along with fasciotomies and mammary gland remodelling) modify the shape of the breast. The technique corrects the missing volume in a precise, personalized manner. Lipomodelling efficacy and absence of complications have made it our reference treatment for the correction of severe tuberous breasts (as long as the patient has sufficient adipose reserves).

Keywords: Asymétrie mammaire; Breast asymmetry; Breast malformations; Fasciotomies; Fat grafting; Lipofilling; Lipomodelling; Malformations mammaires; Sein tubéreux; Transfert graisseux; Tuberous breast.