4.4 Review

Volume Retention After Facial Fat Grafting and Relevant Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Journal

AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
Volume 45, Issue 2, Pages 506-520

Publisher

SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00266-020-01612-6

Keywords

Facial fat grafting; Volume retention rate; Systematic review; Meta-analysis

Categories

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study systematically reviewed the volume retention rate of facial autologous fat grafting and found that the average retention rate was 47%, varying from 26% to 83%. Factors such as volume measurement method and patient characteristics significantly influenced the reported retention rate. Secondary fat grafting procedures and patients with congenital deformities showed trends towards better retention rates.
Background Autologous fat grafting is common in facial reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries; the most important drawbacks are the high absorption rate and unpredictable volume retention rate. Surgeons usually make clinical judgements based on their own experience. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically and quantitatively review the volume retention rate of facial autologous fat grafting and analyse the relevant influencing factors. Methods A systematic literature review was performed using the Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases in October 2019 for articles that reported objectively measured volume retention rates of facial fat grafting. Patient characteristics, fat graft volumetric data, and complications were collected. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was conducted to pool the estimated fat retention rate. Relevant factors were analysed and reviewed on the basis of subgroups. Results We included 27 studies involving 1011 patients with facial fat grafting. The volume retention rate varied from 26 to 83%, with a mean follow-up of 3-24 months. The overall pooled retention rate was 47% (95% CI 41-53%). The volume measurement method significantly influenced the reported retention rate. A trend towards better retention was found for secondary fat grafting procedures and patients with congenital deformities. Only 2.8% of all patients had complications. Conclusion The exact percentage of facial fat grafts retained is currently unpredictable; the reported rate varies with different estimation methods. This review analysed studies that provided objectively measured volume retention rates, the pooled average percentage of facial fat graft retention (47%, 95% CI 41-53%), and relevant factors.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.4
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available