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Background: Fat necrosis is a subjective early as well as delayed complication, which sometimes mimics local recurrence and ruins the quality of life by pain and poor cosmetic result. While, the frequency and severity of fat necrosis are important issues that breast surgeons should explain to the patient, these data are not revealed well.Methods: A total of 1476 patients who underwent breast surgery from January 2000 to December 2012 were enrolled in the present study. We assessed fat necrosis by mammographic and physical findings and created grading criteria: Grade (G) 0, no fat necrosis; G1, no symptomatic fat necrosis (mammographic dystrophic calcification); G2, mild symptomatic necrosis (mammographic dystrophic necrosis with tumor); G3, severe symptomatic necrosis (mammographic dystrophic necrosis with pain or skin change); and G4, symptomatic necrosis requiring surgical intervention.Results: Of the 1476 patients enrolled, 393 (27%) underwent mastectomy, and 1083 (73%) underwent breast-conserving surgery. We achieved a high rate of breast-conserving surgery at a total rate of 73% over the study period and maximum rate of 88% in 2010, using oncoplastic procedures. We mainly adopted a pedicled fat flap (417/1083; 39%) and a free dermal fat flap (40/1083; 3.7%). Among the 626 patients who underwent partial resection with no replacement for the defect, G1-G2 fat necrosis was seen in 29/626 (4.6%). While, the incidence of fat necrosis with pedicled fat flap and free dermal fat graft was 68/417 (16%) and 40/40 (100%), respectively, showing a significant difference (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the incidence of G3-G4 fat necrosis was significantly higher with free dermal fat grafts (25%; 10/40) than with pedicled flap (2.9%; 12/417) (p < 0.01). Among pedicled flaps, the incidence of fat necrosis with inframammary adipofascial flaps was 56% (14/25) which was higher than that with lateral epidermal fat flaps (12%; 33/276) (p < 0.01), and rotation of surrounding breast tissues (8%; 21/116) (p < 0.01). The incidence of G3 fat necrosis was also high at 20% (5/25) in inframammary adipofascial flaps.Conclusions: Breast-conserving oncoplastic surgery carries a risk of fat necrosis as a delayed complication. The incidence rate and severity of fat necrosis with each procedure should be assessed. We should select fat grafts with a good blood supply to replace defects of breast-conserving therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenesis of steatitis that infrequently occurs in cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (KRT; Lepidochelys kempii) has been undetermined. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical (n = 23) and histologic findings (n = 11) in cold-stunned KRT, and to compare plasma concentrations of α-tocopherol (vitamin E), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and the TBARS to vitamin E (T/E) ratio (an assessment of oxidative stress) between cold-stunned KRT with clinically and/or histologically confirmed steatitis (n = 10) and free-ranging KRT (n = 9). None of the cold-stunned turtles had clinically detectable steatitis at admission, and the median number of days to diagnosis of steatitis was 71 (range 33–469). Histologic findings of affected adipose tissue included heterophilic (n = 9) and/or histiocytic (n = 5) steatitis, fat necrosis (n = 7), myonecrosis (n = 2), and intralesional bacteria (n = 6). Cold-stunned KRT had significantly lower plasma vitamin E concentrations (median = 3.5 nmol/g), lower plasma TBARS concentrations (median = 1.6 nmol/g), and higher T/E ratios (median = 0.50), than controls (62.3 nmol/g; 2.1 nmol/g; 0.03, respectively). These results suggest a multifactorial etiology for the development of steatitis in KRT during rehabilitation, including tissue injury, septicemia, and various factors resulting in imbalances of anti-/oxidative status. By highlighting the need to provide more effective vitamin E supplementation, and the need to re-assess specific components of the diet, this study may lead to reduced incidence and improved medical management of steatitis in cold-stunned sea turtles.

Pancreatic panniculitis occurs in up to three percent of all patients with pancreatic disease. This cutaneous eruption, as implied by the name, is almost exclusively encountered in the context of pancreatic disorders, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic carcinoma. We report three cases in which histopathologic examination demonstrated hallmarks of pancreatic panniculitis occurring in patients without any history or evidence of pancreatic disorder. These nonpancreatic pancreatic panniculitis eruptions might be underreported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epipericardial fat necrosis (EFN) is an infrequent cause of acute chest pain. In rare cases like these, conservative treatment is necessary. Clinically, EFN may mimic emergent cardiopulmonary conditions, such as acute myocardial infarction. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of EFN is well described as encapsulated fatty lesion with perilesional soft tissue strands and thickening of adjacent pericardium in the epipericardial area. For confirmation of the diagnosis, involution of this lesion on follow-up is important. We present a case of EFN observed with ultrasonography (USG). This lesion was shown as a well-defined ovoid shaped mass with heterogeneous echogenicity in the left side of cardiophrenic space on USG. There was no color flow on Doppler USG. Follow-up USG and CT revealed decrease in the size of the lesion.

Adipose tissue does not belong to the most favorite structures to be visualized by ultrasound. It is not, however, free from various pathologies. The aim of this paper is to make abdominal cavity examiners more familiar with non-cancerous lesions found in intra-abdominal fat. The main focus is lesions that are rarely discussed in the literature. Visceral adiposity is one of important pathogenetic factors contributing to cardiovascular events, metabolic syndrome and even certain neoplasms. That is why this article exposes sonographic features that are the most characteristic of these lesions. The value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of this pathology is underestimated, and a number of US scan reports do not reflect its presence in any way. Moreover, the article discusses more and more common mesenteritis, the lack of knowledge of which could pose difficulties in explaining the nature of symptoms reported by patients. Furthermore, this review presents lesions referred to in the literature as focal infarction of intra-abdominal fat. This section focuses on infarction of the greater and lesser omentum, epiploic appendagitis, mesenteric volvulus and focal fat necrosis resulting from pancreatitis. These lesions should be assessed with respect to the clinical context, and appropriate techniques of ultrasonography should be employed to allow careful determination of the size, shape, acoustic nature and location of lesions in relation to the integuments and large bowel, as well as their reaction to compression with an ultrasound transducer and behavior during deep inspiration. Moreover, each lesion must be obligatorily assessed in terms of blood flow. Doppler evaluation enables the differentiation between primary and secondary inflammation of intra-abdominal fat. The paper also draws attention to a frequent indirect sign of a pathological process, i.e. thickening and hyperechogenicity of fat, which sometimes indicates an ongoing pathology at a deeper site. This structure may completely conceal the primary lesion rendering it inaccessible for ultrasound. In such cases and in the event of other doubts, computed tomography should be the next diagnostic step.

Lipomembranous panniculitis (LP) is a peculiar type of fat necrosis and is reported with various clinical conditions, mostly with peripheral vascular diseases. Here, a case of a 57-year-old woman with a painful erythematous swelling of the right leg in association with venous insufficiency has been reported. Although LP is frequently associated with venous insufficiency, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the beneficial effect of venous insufficiency treatment in LP.

Fat necrosis is a benign condition that can occur anywhere in the breast and can affect women of any age. Although it is frequently seen in female breast, it is a very rare condition that occurs in a male breast, and a very few cases have been reported so far. We report a case of fat necrosis of the breast in a 22-year-old male. The case was referred for surgical excision. The excised tissue showed typical multiple areas of saponification and calcification. A diagnosis of fat necrosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare self‐limited panniculitis that classically presents within the first few weeks of life. The diagnosis is typically clinical, but some cases require skin biopsy with hematoxylin and eosin stain for confirmation. We report a previously undocumented rapid diagnostic protocol that involves collecting a small amount of exudate from a suppurative lesion, placement onto a slide without fixation, and simply viewing the material under a microscope. This novel and practical method of diagnosis reveals doubly refractile crystals diagnostic of subcutaneous fat necrosis without a biopsy, which may be helpful for rapid diagnosis or use in low resource settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case Presentation: We describe a case of epipericardial fat necrosis. Discussion: Epipericardial fat necrosis is an inflammatory condition in which the pericardial fat pad necrotizes resulting in surrounding inflammation. This condition mimics more ominous pathology in clinical presentation and radiographic findings. Management is supportive with oral analgesics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat necrosis of the breast is a common and benign entity, often secondary to trauma, surgery, radiation therapy, or unknown etiologies. Critically ill patients with septic shock may experience end‐organ hypoperfusion and tissue infarction and necrosis, which may result in breast fat necrosis, however, to the best of our knowledge this has not been previously described. We report a case of biopsy‐proven breast fat necrosis secondary to septic shock following an emergency surgery in a postmenopausal female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epipericardial fat necrosis (EFN) is an uncommon self‐limiting benign condition that can present with substantial chest pain. We present a case of an otherwise healthy 42‐year‐old man who presented with severe chest pain in the emergency department. Initial cardiopulmonary workup was unrevealing. Contrast‐enhanced thorax CT demonstrated an increased radiolucency and nodularity of anterior pericardial fat consistent with epipericardial fat necrosis. The transthoracic echocardiogram was normal, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the lesion. Combined anti‐inflammatory therapy was started with favorable evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipiduria, also known as lipuria, refers to the presence of lipids within the urine. When lipids are present in macroscopic quantities, lipiduria can be visualized as a fat-fluid level on computed tomography imaging. Although the general differential diagnosis of lipiduria is broad, reported etiologies of lipiduria diagnosed by computed tomography have primarily included chyluria, urine-induced lipolysis, and trauma. We report a case of lipiduria occurring coincidentally with resolution of perivesical fat necrosis in a patient after partial right hemicolectomy for B cell lymphoma.

A 52-year-old woman was found to have a lung mass and bilateral breast lesions on computed tomography (CT). Subsequent positron emission tomography/CT demonstrated marked uptake in the lung mass and mild uptake within the breast lesions. A diagnostic mammogram and targeted ultrasound were performed to exclude primary breast malignancy or metastases from presumed pulmonary malignancy. A pertinent history of recent intravenous drug use with heroin injection into bilateral breasts, together with imaging features, facilitated diagnosis of fat necrosis. Fat necrosis is a common diagnosis in breast imaging and may be an incidental finding on positron emission tomography/CT in the oncologic setting. The presence of fat along with suggestive clinical history can lead to the diagnosis and appropriate assignment of either benign, breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS) 2, or probably benign, BI-RADS 3, category with short interval follow-up. Appropriate work-up of incidental fluorodeoxyglucose-avid breast masses with diagnostic mammogram ± ultrasound is warranted to avoid incorrect interpretation as neoplastic processes.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of stem cell-enrichment fat grafting (SCEFG) versus autologous fat grafting (AFG) for reconstructive purposes., Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed as per the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Guidelines and a search of electronic information was conducted to identify all Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs), case-control studies and cohort studies comparing the outcomes of SCEFG versus AFG. Volume retention, fat necrosis, cancer recurrence, redness and swelling, infection, and cysts were primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures included patient satisfaction post-surgery, scar assessment, operation time and number of fat grafting sessions. Fixed and random effects modelling were used for the analysis., Results: 16 studies enrolling 686 subjects were selected. Significant differences between the SCEFG and AFG groups were seen in mean volume retention (standardised mean difference = 3.00, P < 0.0001) and the incidence of redness and swelling (Odds Ratio [OR] = 441, P = 0.003). No significant difference between the two groups in terms of fat necrosis (OR = 2.23, P = 0.26), cancer recurrence (OR = 1.39, P = 0.58), infection (OR = 0.30, P = 0.48) and cysts (OR = 0.88, P = 0.91). For secondary outcomes, both cohorts had similar results in patient satisfaction, scar assessment and number of fat grafting sessions. Operation time was longer for the intervention group., Conclusions: SCEFG offers better outcomes when compared to AFG for reconstructive surgery as it improves the mean volume retention and does not worsen patient satisfaction and surgical complications except for self-limiting redness and swelling. Further clinical trials are recommended to support this argument and validate the use of SCEFG in clinical practice., Level of Evidence Iii: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 ., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Tissue oximetry monitoring has shown superior outcomes to conventional monitoring methods for autologous breast reconstruction in retrospective studies with consecutive cohorts. A recent study used consecutive cohorts with tissue oximetry as the earlier cohort and found that tissue oximetry was nonsuperior. We hypothesize that improvement in microsurgical outcomes with institutional experience confounds the superiority of tissue oximetry demonstrated in prior studies. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcomes of tissue oximetry monitoring compared with conventional monitoring., Methods: Relevant studies were found using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science searches for keywords such as near-infrared spectroscopy or tissue oximetry and microsurgery. Studies included compared tissue oximetry and conventional monitoring in autologous breast reconstruction patients. Studies were excluded if they did not contain a comparison group. Random-effective models were used to analyze early returns to the operating room, the total number of partial or complete flap loss, and late fat necrosis., Results: Six hundred sixty-nine studies were identified; 3 retrospective cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1644 flaps were in the tissue oximetry cohort, and 1387 flaps were in the control cohort. One study contained tissue oximetry as the former cohort; 2 had tissue oximetry as the latter. Neither technique was superior for any measured outcomes. The estimated mean differences between tissue oximetry and conventional monitoring method were early returns, -0.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.52 to 0.410; P = 0.82); partial flap loss, -0.04 (95% CI, -0.86 to 0.79; P = 0.93); complete flap loss, -1.29 (95% CI, -3.45 to 0.87; P = 0.24); and late fat necrosis -0.02 (95% CI, -0.42 to, 0.39; P = 0.94)., Conclusions: In a systematic review and meta-analysis of mixed timeline retrospective cohort studies, tissue oximetry does not provide superior patient outcomes and shifts our current understanding of postoperative breast reconstruction monitoring. Prospective studies and randomized trials comparing monitoring methods need to be included in the existing literature., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Despite the advantages of autologous fat transfer to the breast, there are many complications after the surgery, such as oil cysts, calcification and palpable breast nodules. The fat purification process is a key step to reduce those complications, but there is currently no standard processing method. This study was designed to compare the incidence of fat necrosis after autologous fat grafting to the breast with low-speed centrifugation and sedimentation.Methods: This study analyzed 100 patients (167 breasts) who underwent autologous fat grafts to the breasts from January, 2015 to March, 2017. Patients were divided into two groups randomly, low-speed centrifugation (800 r/min) and sedimentation (15 min). Postoperative fat necrosis such as oil cysts and palpable breast nodules was measured using physical examination and breast ultrasound 3 months after the surgery. The number and the diameter of the fat necroses were detected.Results: A total of 100 patients (167 breasts) were included this research. There were 21 breasts with clinically palpable nodules (12.57%); fifteen (19.48%) were in the low-speed centrifugation group and six (6.67%) were in the sedimentation group (p < 0.05). According to postoperative breast ultrasounds, there were 83 breasts with hypoechoic cyst formations (49.7%); forty-five (58.44%) in the low-speed centrifugation group and 38 (42.22%) in the sedimentation group (p < 0.05). A positive correlation between the number of operative sessions and fat necrosis was found out.Conclusion: Although low-speed centrifugation could achieve higher fat purification efficacy when compared with sedimentation, it causes more fat necrosis than sedimentation, such as clinically palpable nodules and subclinical nodules, especially in patients who had a history of breast surgery and those who needed more than one fat grafting session.Level of Evidence III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An 81-year-old patient developed an exulcerous tumor in her left breast 21 years after breast cancer treatment with lumpectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. At the time of the initial treatment 21 years ago, whole breast irradiation was performed with a prescribed dose of 48 Gy and a maximal dose of 69 Gy. In addition, the patient received a 14.7 Gy boost with multicatheter brachytherapy as partial breast irradiation. In general, fat necrosis after radiotherapy, surgery or trauma is a minor problem for patients, but can lead to diagnostic difficulties. The incidence varies: the literature indicates that it occurs in up to 34% of cases. The direct pathogenesis is not clear; it can be due to high radiation dose to the breast, dosimetric inhomogeneities or surgical complications (seromas and inflammation). The tumor in the case described here, occurring more than two decades after the primary treatment, is a rarity in this extent and is an unusual clinical, radiological, and histological finding. It provides a good example of the need for an individualized approach to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic hypothermia (head or whole-body cooling) improves survival and neurodevelopmental outcome in term newborns with moderate-to-severe encephalopathy. Hypothermia treatment is well tolerated; the most common side effect is thrombocytopenia. In about 1% of infants, focal subcutaneous fat necrosis has been reported. We describe a case of clinically unsuspected massive visceral fat necrosis in a term infant with Apgar score 0 at 1 min (“resuscitated apparently stillborn” infant) who was treated with therapeutic hypothermia for 72 h and expired on the 25th day of life following a neonatal course complicated by severe encephalopathy, pulmonary artery hypertension, persistent thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, and severe basal ganglia-thalamic abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging. Postmortem examination revealed extensive visceral (brown) fat necrosis, involving thoracic, abdominal, and retroperitoneal adipose tissue, with distinctive sparing of the subcutaneous (white) fat. The fulminant—yet clinically occult—visceral fat necrosis seen in this case suggests that (lesser degrees of) fat necrosis may go unrecognized in hypoxic-ischemic newborns, especially in those treated with hypothermia, and underscores the importance of close monitoring of encephalopathic newborns both in the short and long terms for complications of fat necrosis (hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) is a widely accepted treatment for locally advanced breast cancer. Some patients require additional boost radiation to the internal mammary nodes as the part of regional nodal irradiation (RNI). Delayed breast reconstruction with an autologous free flap using the internal mammary vessels for microvascular flap anastomosis is a common practice for these patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of RNI on autologous microvascular breast reconstruction. Patients and Methods A retrospective study was performed on 57 patients (69 flaps) undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for delayed breast reconstruction after radiation therapy. The study group included 37 patients (65%) who received PMRT and RNI to the internalmammary nodes. The control group included 20 patients (35%) who received PMRT alone. Early and delayed surgical complications, including wound complications, fat necrosis, and flap loss, were compared between the groups. Results The patient demographics in both groups were similar. Complication rate showed a higher trend in the study group for flap loss (8.3% versus 0%) and vascular anastomosis failure (5.6% versus 0%), but with no statistical difference (p ¼ 0.54, 0.53, respectively). The control group showed a higher trend in fat necrosis (25% versus 8.3%, p ¼ 0.11). Conclusions DIEP flap breast reconstructions with internal mammary vessels anastomosis should be performed with cautious in patients who had received RNI to internal mammary nodes because of potential added risk for surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We describe FDG-PET/CT findings of postoperative fat necrosis in patients following abdominal surgery, and evaluate their changes in size and FDG uptake over time.Methods: FDG-PET/CT scans from January 2007-January 2016 containing the term 'fat necrosis' were reviewed. Lesions meeting radiological criteria of fat necrosis in patients with prior abdominal surgery were included.Results: Forty-four patients, 30 males, mean age 68.4 ± 11.0 years. Surgeries: laparotomy (n=37; 84.1 %), laparoscopy (n=3; 6.8 %), unknown (n=4; 9.1 %). CTs of all lesions included hyperdense well-defined rims surrounding a heterogeneous fatty core. Sites: peritoneum (n=34; 77 %), omental fat (n=19; 43 %), subcutaneous fat (n=8; 18 %), retroperitoneum (n=2; 5 %). Mean lesion long axis: 33.6±24.9 mm (range: 13.0-140.0). Mean SUVmax: 2.6±1.1 (range: 0.6-5.1). On serial CTs (n=34), lesions decreased in size (p=0.022). Serial FDG-PET/CT (n=24) showed no significant change in FDG-avidity (p=0.110). Mean SUVmax did not correlate with time from surgery (p=0.558) or lesion size (p=0.259).Conclusion: Postsurgical fat necrosis demonstrated characteristic CT features and may demonstrate increased FDG uptake. However, follow-up of subsequent imaging scans showed no increases in size or FDG-avidity. Awareness of this entity is important to avoid misinterpretation of findings as recurrent cancer.Key Points: • Postsurgical fat necrosis may mimic cancer in FDG-PET/CT. • Follow-up of fat necrosis showed no increase in FDG intensity. • CT follow-up showed a decrease in lesion size. • FDG uptake did not correlate with time lapsed from surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: In 2015-2016, over 214,000 female athletes competed at the collegiate level in the United States (U.S.). The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) collects injury data; however, breast-related injuries do not have a specific reporting category. The exact sequelae of breast injury are unknown; however, a relationship between breast injury and fat necrosis, which mimics breast carcinoma, is documented outside of sports participation. Breast injuries related to motor vehicle collisions, seatbelt trauma, and blunt trauma have been reported. For these reasons, it is important to investigate female breast injuries in collegiate sports. The objectives of this study are to report the prevalence of self-reported breast injuries in female collegiate athletes, explore injury types and treatments, and investigate breast injury reporting and impact on sports participation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of female collegiate athletes at four U.S. universities participating in basketball, soccer, softball, or volleyball. Main outcome measure was a questionnaire regarding breast injuries during sports participation. Results: Almost half of the 194 participants (47.9%) reported a breast injury during their collegiate career, less than 10% reported their injury to health personnel with 2.1% receiving treatment. Breast injuries reported by breast injuries reported by sport include softball (59.5%), basketball (48.8%), soccer (46.7%), and volleyball (34.6%). Conclusions: The long-term effects and sequelae of breast injuries reported by female collegiate athletes during sport play are unknown. Nearly 50% of participants had a breast injury during sports activities. Although 18.2% indicated that breast injury affected sports participation, only 9.6% of the injuries were reported to medical personnel with 2.1% receiving treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Level Of Evidence: 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Autologous fat graft has become a useful technique for correction of acquired contour deformity in reconstructed breasts. However, there remains controversial regarding the efficacy and safety of the practice for reconstructive breast surgery. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 102 patients who had secondary fat grafting after breast reconstruction. Fat harvest, refinement and injection were done by Coleman's technique. All patients were followed up postoperatively within 1 month and after 6 months including physical examination and ultrasonography. In 38 patients, the reabsorption rate was calculated by serial changes of thickness between skin and pectoral fascia in the ultrasonic finding. Locoregional recurrence rate was compared with control group of 449 patients who had breast reconstruction without fat graft in the same time period. Results Average 49.3 mL fat was injected into each breast. The most common location of fat graft was upper pole, followed by axilla, lower and medial breasts. During 28.7 months of average follow-up period, 2.9% of total patients had symptoms of palpable mass on fat graft side and ultrasonography identified fat necrosis and cyst formation in 17.6% of the patients. Calculated fat reabsorption rate was 32.9%. Locoregional recurrence was occurred in 1 patient (0.9%) and the rate was not different significantly with control group (2%). Conclusions Although further studies are required to provide surgeons with definitive guidelines for the implementation of fat grafting, we propose autologous fat graft is an efficient and safe technique for secondary breast reconstruction.

Background Facial fat grafting is a common cosmetic surgery for facial contouring. Although it is considered a very safe procedure, there are several reports about complications after fat grafting. Eye complications are very rare, but do exist. The author has treated cases of eyelid swelling after forehead fat grafting with conservative or surgical treatment. Methods From February 2010 to April 2014, the author treated five women (mean age, 35 years; range 28-52), who developed eyelid swelling (both, n=3; unilateral, n=2) approximately 2 weeks after forehead fat grafting. Symptoms included pain, foreign body sensation, recurrent swelling and redness, unilateral or bilateral ptosis, and palpable lumps. Three were acute cases treated within 1 month, and the other two were chronic cases, which occurred 4 and 28 months after the fat graft. Results Conservative treatment (Lasix, antibiotics, steroids) was used for two patients. The other three patients were treated with direct fat extraction or lump excision through the double eyelid crease line. Histological examination identified the excised specimens as lipocysts or liopogranulomas. All patients fully recovered, despite transient ptosis for several days immediately after the operation. Conclusions Eyelid swelling after forehead fat graft can be successfully treated with either conservative or surgical treatment. Although few studies have reported eyelid swelling after fat grafting, this complication may become more common, in the future, as facial fat grafting becomes more popular. This treatment modality should be helpful to the plastic surgeons faced with these unpleasant complications.