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Review
. 2021 Jan;10(1):487-493.
doi: 10.21037/gs.2020.04.04.

Autologous fat grafting in breast reconstruction: implications for follow-up and surveillance

Summer E Hanson  1 , Sahil K Kapur  1 , Rosa F Hwang  2 , Mark S Dryden  3
Affiliations
Review

Autologous fat grafting in breast reconstruction: implications for follow-up and surveillance

Summer E Hanson et al. Gland Surg. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

The procedural volume of autologous fat grafting (AFG) has risen over the past several years, specifically in the setting of breast reconstruction, despite controversy surrounding its oncologic safety. While some in vitro and animal models have cast doubt on the oncologic safety of AFG, there is no clinical evidence that AFG in breast reconstruction is associated with an increased risk of cancer development or recurrence or an inability to adequately assess changes in the breast. That being said, recommendations regarding surveillance and follow-up after AFG in breast reconstruction are largely surgeon directed and differ across practices. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature and provide evidence-based recommendations.

Keywords: Autologous fat grafting (AFG); breast reconstruction; lipotransfer; oncologic safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/gs.2020.04.04). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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