The current status of the autologous fat grafting for pediatric craniofacial patients

Casey Anderson, Alireza Hamidian Jahromi, Emily J. Miller, Petros Konofaos

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Since its first introduction, autologous fat grafting (AFG) has undergone multiple refinements and has become a common treatment option within plastic surgery. It is a safe, quick, economical, and minimally invasive method for volume augmentation and is finding its own indications in the pediatric craniofacial surgery patients. Because there is currently a paucity of literature regarding the use of AFG in the pediatric population compared with the adults, the authors performed a systematic reviewof the literature using PubMed, Cochrane Library databases, and the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery using the terms of fat grafting/lipofilling, fat grafting, and craniofacial surgery to include articles that contained pediatric patients.While reviewing AFG in the pediatric craniofacial patients, indications, technique, and challenges were specifically evaluated and an algorithmof approach was proposed. In current practice, the choice ofmicrovascular free flap versus AFG is one of the surgeon preferences on a case-bycase basis. With the low complication rate and ease of use, selection of AFG for the repair of soft tissue defects in pediatric craniofacial patients is increasing and may come to surpass use of traditional invasive methods such as free flaps. It should also be considered as a useful adjunct to other concurrent invasive procedures, that is, bony adjustments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)568-573
Number of pages6
JournalAnnals of plastic surgery
Volume85
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Craniofacial anomalies
  • Facial augmentation
  • Fat grafting
  • Lipofilling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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