OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of lipofilling of integumentary tissues in breast augmentation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study included 24 patients who underwent primary breast augmentation: the 1st group (n=12) — autologous fat transplantation simultaneously with augmentation mammoplasty; the 2nd group (n=12) — no autologous fat transplantation. Postoperative examination in the 1st group included ultrasound examination of the mammary glands after 6 months and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 12 months. In the 2nd group, chest MRI for implant-associated indications was performed after 12 months. Patient satisfaction with postoperative results was assessed using the BREAST-Q questionnaire.
RESULTS
Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of hybrid breast augmentation. There were no complications in the 1st group. BREAST-Q scores confirmed high satisfaction. Intermammary distance decreased from 6.00 [4.00; 6.00] to 2.50 [2.00; 3.00] cm (p<0.001). All patients in the 2nd group had clear implant boundaries at the upper and medial poles of the mammary glands. Skin rippling occurred in 50% of cases. The distance between the medial boundaries of the mammary glands decreased from 5.00 [4.00; 5.25] to 3.00 [2.38; 3.25] cm (p<0.001). Additional lipofilling of the mammary glands was recommended for all patients in the 2nd group.
CONCLUSION
Hybrid method is a significantly better method of breast augmentation. Structural advantages of implants combined with natural contouring after lipofilling eliminate many aesthetic and functional limitations of traditional methods without the need for repeated surgeries.