Application of fat grafting in craniofacial deformities: an INTO-RJ experience

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The fat graft is currently widely used in aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgery as a natural filler. In cranio-maxillofacial surgery, fat grafting can be very beneficial for patients with various congenital and acquired deformities.

Methods:

We included patients who had undergone fat grafting for reconstruction and correction of defects in the face during 2012 and 2013 by using a standard technique. Our assessment was both clinical and subjective, taking into account the patient’s opinion. In patients with late enophthalmos secondary to trauma sequelae, we conducted exophthalmometry with an exophthalmometer (Hertel) and preoperative and postoperative CT to objectively evaluate our results.

Results:

Twenty-two patients were treated. Most were female (77%). The volume of fat grafted varied from 1 ml to 37 ml, with a mean of 15 ml per session. The number of sessions ranged from 1 to 4. Fat grafting was used as a single treatment in only 30% of cases. We performed retrobulbar fat grafting ranging from 6 to 10 ml in volume; in one patient, the grafting was carried out over two sessions. There was a gain of 3 to 7 mm in projection of the eyeball. In tomographic evaluation, an increased eye projection of between 2.2 mm and 4 mm was found. However, the clinical outcome was poor.

Conclusion:

Fat grafting is a simple, inexpensive and reproducible procedure that should be part of the plastic and craniofacial surgeons’ inventory. It may be an alternative in difficult cases of late enophthalmos.

Keywords:
Grafts; Enophthalmos; Fat; Plastic; surgery