Male Pectoralis Major Muscle Augmentation with Autologous Fat Transplantation Using VASER Lipoaspirate: Evaluation with MRI

Abstract

Background: The popularity of autologous fat grafts has increased for the reshaping, contouring, and augmentation of the male breast tissue. However, long-term maintenance of tissue viability and the ways for assessment serve as hot-spot topics in the field. This study was designed to evaluate the viability of fat grafts obtained by a vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance (VASER)-assisted lipoaspiration procedure using a magnetic resonance imaging–based approach. Methods: This is a prospective examination of 20 male patients (40 breasts) who underwent VASER-assisted liposuction and fat grafting surgery, and long-term fat graft viability was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging scans. Results: Participants had an average age of 34.85 ± 7.37 years with a mean BMI of 26.73 ± 2.63 kg/m2. The mean fat graft volume injected was 542.63 ± 144.78 mL on the right, and 548.95 ± 140.36 mL on the left side. On the magnetic resonance imaging follow-up, the mean intrapectoral adipose tissue thickness was 20.34 ± 6.31 mm on the right, and 18.94 ± 8.27 mm on the left sides and tissue viability was preserved in all cases. The mean follow-up duration was 22 ± 9.8 (range 14-44) months. Conclusion: VASER-assisted lipoaspiration and autologous fat grafting of the major pectoralis muscle provide a satisfactory outcome and long-term maintenance of the grafted adipose tissue.