After numerous experiments with free-fat transfer since 1893 , many promising methods and results of large-volume fat grafts have been published recently . A common disadvantage was the time of the procedure and a lack of proof of efficiency. In 2007 we developed the BEAULI™ method (Berlin autologous lipotransplantation), a new and reliable procedure to collect larger amounts of transplantable fatty tissue. It was evaluated in a prospective clinical study with 85 patients in 2 centres in Germany, the overall number of transplantations amounting to 216 treated breasts. Indications were general lack of breast volume, either genuine or acquired in the course of surgical procedures. The fat was harvested with the BEAULI™ method, which consists in general of the harvest of very small fat particles by means of water-assisted liposuction (Bodyjet®, Humanmed Ag, Germany) and reinjection of the fat after separation from superfluous water by means of the Lipocollector®. All procedures were performed in a standardised pattern, measurements were taken preoperatively, at day 1 postop, after 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and then to be continued yearly. An MRI of the breasts was taken preop and 6 months postoperatively, the longest follow-up is 30 months. Average operation time was 1.5 h. In every case a definite increase of volume of the fatty layer in the treated areas was observed. We saw no macroscopic oily cysts, in two cases there were 3 months after the operation some palpable subcutaneous nodules which proved to be granulomas. The volume control of 35 aesthetic patients by means of BrainLab™ Software and MRI could verify a permanent take rate of 76±11% of the grafted fat. In aesthetic patients generally 2 (80%) fat-grafting procedures with an average gain in volume of ½ bra cup size or 100-150 ml) per procedure were required. After implant removal, satisfaction was usually reached after only a single procedure, for complete reconstruction after cancer surgery 4-5 grafting sessions were necessary. An extension of the skin envelope as well as improvement of existing scars were observed.
MRI volumetry is a useful tool for the fast, exact and reproducible volume analysis of breast tissue. Especially after autologous lipotransfer, where MRI examinations are performed on a regular basis to exclude possible complications, the use of these data to evaluate the rate of fat tissue survival is appealing and due to the high exactness of the method also reasonable.
In autologous fat transplantation to the breast the periglandular plane is superior to the intramuscular plane in terms of volume persistence. As bolus injections of fat tissue must be strictly avoided, the pectoral muscles offer an additional receptor tissue for fat transplantation, and might be especially needed in smaller breasts to achieve the desired volume augmentation. The alternation of glandular tissue within the 2 points of time was low and in relation to the whole region of interest for breast volumetry rather inconsequential. Nevertheless consideration and subtraction of the glandular volume in mamma volumetry optimises the exactness of the volumetry.
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