Fat tissue transplant: restoration of the mammary volume after conservative treatment of breast cancers, clinical and radiological considerations

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate fat tissue graft as a treatment of sequelae of breast cancer conservative surgery. Means and methods: This prospective study during a nine-month period concerned 15 patients with breast cancer conservative treatment sequelae. Fat tissue has been injected at the site where the tumorectomie and subsequent radiotherapy had been performed. A mammographic and photographic checkup along with the patients' subjective evaluation were done before the operation and after the operation with a one-month, three-month, and nine-month follow-up. An objective analysis of the results was done by a panel from the pictures of the ninth month's follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative mammary volumes were calculated by a CT scan using a 3D program. Results: Mean fat tissue injected was 63.3 cc. Mean patients' satisfaction grade was 8.1/10 at one month and 6.7/10 at nine months. The estimation of the resorption at nine months was 52.6% according to the patients while announced at 47.5% with the CT scan. Eighty percent of patients estimated the operation as "light" and 60% would be ready to have another injection. Skin tissue quality was enhanced and only one infection has been stated. Two-thirds of postoperative mammographies are still ACR 2 and one-third of the patients have had cytosteatonecrosis. Conclusion: This fat tissue graft technique on irradiated skin for the correction of tumorectomy sequelae brings a simple and efficient solution, which is radiologically reliable and satisfying for the patients. © 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.