Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: A systematic review of surgical management and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SCFN) is a rare form of panniculitis manifesting as erythematous plaques or nodules at sites of brown fat in neonates. Surgical management may be indicated in severe cases; however, there is a paucity of literature compiling presentations and outcomes of these surgical patients. METHODS: The authors performed a systematic review, in consultation with a licensed librarian, on MEDLINE and Embase for studies including patients with SCFN who were surgically managed. RESULTS: The search strategy generated 705 results, among which 213 (30.2%) were excluded for lack of discussion on surgical management. Twenty-two studies discussed surgical management of SCFN in 26 patients, but in 6 of these studies the patients were not surgically managed. Ultimately, 16 articles with 16 patients who were surgically managed were included in the study. Average age at diagnosis was 11.8 ± 9.8 days; average age at surgery was 39.5 ± 70.4 days. The most common etiologies were "unknown" (6, 37.5%), therapeutic hypothermia (4, 25.0%), and birth complications (4, 25.0%). Patients harbored nodules on the back (14, 87.5%), upper extremities (7, 43.8%), lower extremities (7, 43.8%), buttocks (5, 31.3%), and head or neck (3, 18.8%). Linear regression models revealed the presence of back lesions and predicted concomitant medical complications (ß = 2.71, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing surgical management for SCFN most commonly harbor lesions on the back and extremities that are secondary to therapeutic hypothermia or of unknown origin. Reporting of additional cases is needed to further elucidate surgical management and outcomes.

The effects of breast reduction with superomedial and inferior pedicle techniques on radiological breast imaging.

BACKGROUND: Several breast reduction techniques have been introduced, and the reliability of these techniques has been demonstrated in clinical practice. However, it is still controversial how patients should be evaluated radiologically both preoperative and postoperative. This study aims to compare the radiological findings seen following reduction mammoplasty with two different techniques (inferior pedicle and superomedial pedicle), in connection with the surgical steps. METHODS: Medical records of 141 patients and a total of 278 breasts who underwent breast reduction with the diagnosis of macromastia were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and operative data such as age, type of pedicle, preoperative and postoperative nipple-areola complex (NAC) position, and NAC transfer distance were recorded. Radiological evaluation was performed by two radiologists experienced in breast imaging by reinterpreting preoperative and postoperative mammography images. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative structural distortion (p < 0.001), thickened areola (p = 0.011), and retroareolar fibrotic band (p < 0.001) were observed to be significantly higher in the superomedial group. The risk of fat necrosis increases as the NAC transfer distance increases and a value of >9.5 cm in the NAC transfer distance can be considered as the cutoff value in terms of fat necrosis development, especially in those using superomedial pedicle technique. CONCLUSION: Surgical technique-specific benign radiological changes occur following reduction mammoplasty. However, these changes do not significantly affect the Breast imaging, reporting, and data system category. The localization of fat necrosis differs depending on the surgical technique, and the risk of fat necrosis increases as the NAC transfer distance increases, especially in those who have undergone superomedial pedicle breast reduction surgery.

Simultaneous Fat Grafting During Tissue Expander-to-Implant Exchange: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR) is the most common technique for breast reconstruction. The primary resource for correcting deformities, once patients have achieved an adequate volume with two-stage IBBR, is autologous fat grafting. We compared the surgical outcomes of simultaneous fat grafting during TE-to-implant exchange (SFG + TtIE) versus no fat grafting during TE-to-implant exchange (No-FGX). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive patients undergoing two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction with TE from January 2011 to December 2020. Propensity score matching was implemented to optimize comparability. The control group did not receive fat grafting at the time of TE-to-implant exchange. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 196 reconstructions were evaluated, 98 in each group. Reconstructions in the SFG + TtIE received larger implants during exchange in comparison with the No-FGX group (539 ± 135.1-cc versus 495.97 ± 148-cc, p=0.035). The mean volume of fat lipoinjected during TE-to-implant exchange in the SFG + TtIE group was 88.79 ± 41-ml. A higher proportion of reconstructions in the SFG + TtIE group underwent additional fat grafting after exchange versus the No-FGX group (19% versus 9%, p = 0.041). After propensity score matching, only the rate of fat necrosis after exchange was significantly higher in the SFG + TtIE group (10% versus 2%, p = 0.017). The rate of breast cancer recurrence (3% versus 5%, p = 1.00) was comparable between the groups. CONCLUSION: SFG + TtIE is a safe procedure to improve the envelope of reconstructed breasts during two-stage IBBR. SFG + TtIE does not increase the rate of periprosthetic infection or wound-related complication versus no fat grafting during TE-to-implant exchange, but increases the rate of fat necrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: Therapeutic study. 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.

Oncologic Safety in Autologous Fat Grafting After Breast Conservation Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is often used to reconstruct defects after breast conservation therapy (BCT). However, concerns exist about the possibility of AFG-related recurrence or metastasis. This study aims to evaluate the literature to evaluate oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing AFG at the time of BCT. METHODS: A systematic review of articles related to AFG based reconstruction at the time of BCT from 1970 to 2021 was performed via PubMed. Patients were grouped based on the presence or lack of AFG usage at the time of BCT, and oncologic outcomes and complications were compared. RESULTS: Of the 146 articles identified, 15 were included. Nine hundred patients underwent BCT alone and 1063 patients underwent BCT with AFG patients. Similar average follow-up time was observed between the groups, 58.7 months (BCT only) and 55.2 months (BCT with AFG). On pooled analysis, no difference was identified in local recurrence 4.8% (43 patients) of the BCT group and 3% (32 patients) in the AFG group (P = 0.8), metastasis 4.8% (43 patients) of the BCT group and 6.9% (73 patients) in the AFG group (P = 0.3), or fat necrosis (P = 0.44). Meta-analysis additionally did not identify any statistically significant odds ratios between the BCT only group and BCT with AFG group when evaluated for total recurrence, local recurrence, metastasis or fat necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The results show no significant difference in cancer recurrence or metastasis in the BCT only group versus BCT and AFG, showing that fat grafting has safe outcomes.

Treating Pain and Fat Necrosis after Breast Cancer Surgery with Fat Grafting: Is one Session Enough?

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain after breast cancer surgery is affecting up to 60% of patients, causing significant morbidity to patients. Lately, fat grafting has been applied as a therapy for chronic neuropathic pain. METHODS: We report a series of eighteen patients, who were treated for pain after breast cancer surgery. Twelve patients had a breast conserving therapy, two a mastectomy and four an autologous flap-based reconstruction. While most presented with neuropathic pain, six patients had fat necrosis in their history. Most patients presented with severe pain (77%) and were treated with fat grafting sessions, performed by water-assisted liposuction. RESULTS: All patients responded to the interventions; the median number of fat grafting sessions was 2, the median duration of the interventions was 4 months, and the median follow-up period was 56.5 months. The median pain prior to the fat grafting procedure had an intensity of 8 (range 7-9) numeric rating scale points; after the first intervention, this was reduced to 4 (range 2.3-5.8); and after the second intervention, it was down to 2 (range 0.8-3.3). Patients with pain intensities of 4-5 had a good chance of achieving analgesia after one session. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafting could be a new treatment modality for symptomatic fat necrosis: complete or partial suction of the necrosis and/or fat grafting around the necrosis to reduce inflammation and pain. Fat grafting proved a valuable tool, reducing pain or even achieving analgesia after breast cancer surgery presenting with a highly favorable risk-benefit ratio. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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.

A new indication and surgical procedure to reduce fat necrosis after breast-conserving surgery using an inframammary adipofascial flap.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the risk factors for fat necrosis after breast-conserving surgery using an inframammary adipofascial flap (IAF). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from a single institution evaluating the risk factors for fat necrosis after breast-conserving surgery using an IAF (n = 41) performed from 2005 to 2020 for newly diagnosed stage 0-2 breast cancer or phyllodes tumor. RESULTS: Age (≥50 years of age vs. <50 years of age), mammographic density (fatty vs. other) and operation period (before vs. after revision of surgical procedure and patient indication) were significantly associated with fat necrosis (p = 0.006, p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that the use of an IAF with crescent dermis and selection of appropriate cases for IAF after breast-conserving surgery may be useful for the purpose of reducing fat necrosis. Further study is needed.

[A Case Report of Subcutaneous Nodular Fat Necrosis Caused by Obstructive Pancreatitis Due to IPMN].

A 72-year-old man underwent hemodialysis because of end-stage renal failure. The patient often suffered acute pancreatitis and was diagnosed with main duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN). Moreover, skin erythema with pain occurred and was treated as cellulitis using antibiotics; however, the skin lesions did not improve. Skin pathological findings indicated subcutaneous nodular fat necrosis due to pancreatitis. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and the skin erythema with pain symptoms were relieved. The final diagnoses were ampullary carcinoma and intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma(IPMA). We experienced a rare case of subcutaneous nodular fat necrosis due to IPMN.

Fat Necrosis Mimicking Renal Cell Carcinoma Recurrence Following Cryotherapy, Partial Nephrectomy, and Nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with three patients surgically treated for suspected recurrent renal cell carcinoma whose final pathology was consistent with tumefactive fat necrosis. METHODS: Three patients underwent definitive therapy for biopsy proven renal cell carcinoma (cryoablation, partial nephrectomy, and nephrectomy) and later demonstrated evidence of recurrent renal cell carcinoma on follow up imaging. All three patients underwent surgical resection of the suspected recurrences with final pathology consistent with tumefactive fat necrosis. RESULTS: The three patients were 60, 74, and 39-years old, respectively. The previous definitive therapies for renal cell carcinoma were percutaneous ablation, RAPN, and nephrectomy. Each patient had previous surgical pathology that confirmed prior renal cell carcinoma. Signs of recurrence on diagnostic imaging occurred 2 years, 23 months, and 8 months post-definitive therapy. CONCLUSION: In patients with a history of renal cell carcinoma, consideration of fat necrosis should be taken into account upon seeing imaging concerning for tumor recurrence. Continued analysis of cases with such a diagnosis will be beneficial in recognizing this possibility to avoid unnecessary surgery or therapy when possible.

Unilateral Giant Vulvar Lipoma with Fat Necrosis Not Visualized on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

BACKGROUND A subcutaneous lipoma is a benign tumor comprised of mature adipocytes. Clinically it presents as a soft, freely moveable, doughy mass that is typically painless and slow growing. Lipomas containing fat necrosis and corresponding palpable nodular elements are rare and suggest an alternative diagnosis. Lipomas in the vulvar region are rare and giant vulvar lipomas with palpable fat necrosis are unreported. CASE REPORT A 25-year-old patient presented with a 4-year history of an enlarging right vulvar mass with multiple small (<1 cm) firm nodules within the tumor. A pelvic MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) did not visualize the nodules but histopathologic examination revealed a benign lipoma containing fat necrosis and discrete areas of calcium deposition. CONCLUSIONS Fat necrosis can occur in vulvar lipomas and present with intratumor nodularity. MRI imaging, clinical findings and histology may be discordant.

Fat necrosis after breast-conserving oncoplastic surgery.

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.

Alternativa técnica para tratamento de esteatonecrose em mama: descrição e resultados / Alternative technique for the treatment of osteonecrosis in breasts: description and results

Introdução: Este trabalho descreve e apresenta os resultados de uma técnica alternativa para tratamento da esteatonecrose, a lipoaspiração com cânula específica, com bons resultados observados no exame físico e de imagem. A esteatonecrose é uma complicação que ocorre com alguma frequência nas cirurgias mamárias, principalmente nas reconstruções mamárias, nas cirurgias conservadoras ou TRAM, caracterizando-se, inicialmente, por endurecimento de uma região, que evolui para uma nodulação de tamanhos variados, em qualquer região mamária, com cistos oleosos e fibrose, que traduz uma preocupação constante por parte das pacientes, do oncologista, do mastologista e do cirurgião plástico devido à ocorrência de recidiva tumoral. Método: Foi realizada uma revisão retrospectiva dos prontuários das pacientes submetidas a procedimentos nas mamas, seja reconstrução ou estética, e evoluíram com esteatonecrose, sendo submetidas ao tratamento com lipoaspiração, inspirada na técnica de perfuração óssea para tratamento de necrose óssea, realizado por ortopedistas. Resultados: No período englobado, 8 pacientes foram selecionadas. A idade média foi de 56 anos. Grande parte possuía alguma deformidade na mama acometida, sendo o cisto oleoso o mais comum - 5 pacientes (62,5%). 75% possuíam história de neoplasia mamária. Conclusão: A individualização do paciente é a chave para o sucesso do tratamento da esteatonecrose e uma ferramenta essencial para atender às expectativas e anseios da paciente após essa complicação. Cada técnica tem suas indicações, vantagens e limitações, que devem ser amplamente discutidas com o paciente visando o melhor resultado possível.

Introduction: This work describes and presents the results of an alternative technique for treating steatonecrosis by liposuction using a specific cannula, with good physical and imaging results. Steatonecrosis is a complication that frequently occurs during mammary surgeries, especially during mammary reconstructions and in conservative surgery or TRAM. Steatonecrosis is characterized initially by hardening of the tissue that may develop into nodules of different sizes in any mammary region with oily cysts and fibrosis; consequently, steatonecrosis is a constant concern for patients, oncologists, breast cancer specialists, and plastic surgeons due to the possibility of tumor recurrence. Method: A retrospective review of the medical records of the patients undergoing procedures related to the breast, either reconstructive or aesthetic, was performed. Patients who developed steatonecrosis and were treated by liposuction, similar to the bone drilling technique performed by orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of bone necrosis, were included in the study. Results: Eight patients from the study period reviewed were selected. The mean age was 56 years. Most of the patients showed deformity in the affected breast, with oily cysts, reported in 5 patients (62.5%), being the most common deformity. Breast cancer history was reported for 75% of the patients. Conclusion: The individualization of the patient is the key to successful treatment of steatonecrosis and an essential tool to satisfy the expectations and desires of the patient after this complication. Each technique has its indications, advantages and limitations, which should be thoroughly discussed with the patient to obtain the best possible result.

Fat Necrosis After Autologous Fat Transfer (AFT) to Breast: Comparison of Low-Speed Centrifugation with Sedimentation.

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 .