Autologous fat grafting for cosmetic breast augmentation: a systematic review.

[BACKGROUND] Breast augmentation is one of the most popular aesthetic surgical procedures. The only potential alternative is autologous fat grafting (AFG), which is not new in principle. This procedure has been used on native breasts since 2009, following the recommendations of some learned societies.

[OBJECTIVES] We performed a systematic review to determine the current worldwide status of fat grafting for aesthetic breast augmentation.

[METHODS] A systematic review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis criteria was conducted using the PubMed, EmBASE, and Cochrane library databases. This protocol was registered at the National Institute for Health Research, Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.

[RESULTS] A total of 42 articles published between 1987 and July 2014 were included. Most of the studies had a low level of evidence, with only one level 2 study, published by Spear (2014), a prospective cohort study which included 10 patients. The publications were from North America, Europe, and Asia. The indications were aesthetic augmentation (92.4%) and congenital malformation (7.6%). Two cases of cancer were reported among the 2023 patients included (0.09%), with a mean follow-up of 22 months, although the follow-up was insufficient for medium- and long-term cancer diagnoses.

[CONCLUSIONS] AFG seems to be a major tool in this field, but we must remain cautious about its systematization for this indication. Preoperative patient selection is essential but underreported. AFG appears particularly relevant in breast malformations. We believe that this method should be practiced within the scope of a national or international registry with proper follow-up of patients.