Abstract P5-16-04: Evaluation of autologous fat grafting local morbidity (fat necrosis and biopsy rates) in breast reconstruction after breast cancer: A retrospective study on 257 patients in Oscar Lambret Center
Authors: Hannebicque K , Renaudeau C , Giard S , Regis C , Boulanger L , Bogart E , Le Deley M-C , Ceugnart L , Chauvet M-P 
Published: May 2019

Background.Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is a widely used procedure in breast reconstruction after breast cancer. Indications are in constant increase but there is a lack of dataabout global morbidity, especially fat necrosis and management of local complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complications rate in term of abnormal clinical examination or imaging and the proportion of additional explorations.

Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the computerized files of consecutive patients who underwent AFG for breast reconstruction after breast cancer or for preventive surgery and aesthetic sequelae after lumpectomy in the Oscar Lambret center between January 2013 and December 2016. Fat grafts were harvested with a fat trap then processed and injected according the Coleman technique. We collected demographics, operative details, local complications, incidence of palpable masses and/or suspicious breast imaging findings leading to additional explorations (breast imaging or biopsy), and locoregional cancer recurrence. Descriptive statistics were generated.

Results. Over a 4-year period, 257 women underwent autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction and aesthetic sequelae after lumpectomy. Their mean age was 50 years [range 28-75], the mean BMI was 25 [range 18-44], 26% (n=66) were smoking and 74% (n=190) underwent radiotherapy. A total of 303 breasts were operated by 270 mastectomies (89%) or33 lumpectomies (11%). The reconstruction was delayed in 63% (n=171) and the main techniques used were breast implant (44%, n=119) and autologous latissimus dorsi (31%, n=84). The mean number of fat grafting procedures was 1,9 per patient [range 1-7] with a mean volume of 181 mL [range 30-535]. The mean time interval between cancer diagnosis and first fat graft session was 56 months [range 3-285], and the follow-up ranged from 0 to 51 months (mean=16). The prevalence of donor site complications was 6% (n=16) and infections was 2% (n=5). Sixty six (25,6%) patients had a clinically palpable lesion and 54 (21%) underwent additional imagings, mostly by ultrasounds (53 patients, 98%) except the usual follow-up. Twenty one biopsies (8%) were performed and showed 16 benign results (76,2%) and 5 malignant results (23,8%) leading to 6,2% of fat necrosis and 1,9% of locoregional recurrence after AFG in our study.Tobacco (p=0.45), BMI (p=0.95), radiotherapy (p=0.56) and amount of fat grafted ( p=0.09) didn't appear to be risk factors for fat necrosis.

Conclusions. A good knowledge of local complications by surgeons and radiologists enables to avoid systematic and repeated further imaging explorations. Multicentric, prospective studies with long term follow up and evaluation of patients reported outcomes are needed to evaluate anxiety generated by biopsies and costs generated by repeated imagings.

Key words: autologous fat grafting, breast cancer, local morbidity, fat necrosis.

Citation Format: Hannebicque K, Renaudeau C, Giard S, Regis C, Boulanger L, Bogart E, Le Deley M-C, Ceugnart L, Chauvet M-P. Evaluation of autologous fat grafting local morbidity (fat necrosis and biopsy rates) in breast reconstruction after breast cancer: A retrospective study on 257 patients in Oscar Lambret Center [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-16-04.