Complications Associated with Facial Autologous Fat Grafting for Aesthetic Purposes: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: With the increasing demand for aesthetic procedures, autologous fat grafting (AFG) seems to be an attractive option for facial volumization and rejuvenation. The aim of this study was to assess the type and severity of associated complications after facial AFG for aesthetic purposes. Methods: The entire PubMed/Medline and Cochrane databases were screened to identify studies describing complications that occurred after the injection of autologous fat into the face. These complications have been reviewed and analyzed according to their occurrence and severity in the different anatomical regions of the face. Results: Twenty-two articles including 38 patients reported on a total of 58 complications. Thirty-two complications have been classified as severe or permanent, including hemiplegia (n = 11), loss of vision (n = 7), or skin necrosis (n = 3). The other 26 complications were classified as mild or transient, such as lipogranuloma (n = 12) or mycobacterial abscess (n = 2). The majority of complications were reported after injection to the forehead (n = 26) and the temporal region (n = 21). Interestingly, this location seems to be the area at risk because 53% of all severe complications occurred in this anatomical region. Conclusions: AFG to the face is associated with a low incidence of complications, but if they occur, they can be dramatic, particularly in the forehead and temporal region. Nevertheless, AFG can be used to correct age-related changes of the face and volume loss and may represent an alternative to synthetic fillers. Therefore, AFG to the face should be performed by qualified doctors under careful consideration of risks and facial anatomy.