3/02/07

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are warning that fat grafting for breast augmentation is not recommended at this time because of the lack of safety and efficacy data. According to the associations, concerns exist that the procedure may interfere with timely detection of breast cancer.

Despite interest in the procedure, there is little evidence that fat grafting for breast augmentation is safer or better than implants, and long-term complications are still unknown.

The two groups are urging plastic surgeons to think before agreeing to undergo the procedure, because the temporary benefits of fat grafting may be offset by low survival rates of the transferred cells (which are frequently absorbed by the body), development of cysts, calcification, and tissue scarring, as well as long-term problems with breast-cancer detection.

However, presenters at recent ASPS and ASAPS scientific meetings have reported promising results when using new fat-grafting techniques for the breast, and it is likely that work will continue in this area. Watch PSPs Web and print editions for continuing cover of this topic.

[www.beautynova.com, February 28, 2007]