Donor site complications and satisfaction in autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction:A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide. One option for total breast reconstruction following total breast amputation is autologous fat transfer (AFT). However, this is still an upcoming reconstruction technique, and little is known about the donor site complications and their influence on the patient's overall satisfaction.OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to review the current literature regarding donor site complications and donor site satisfaction following AFT for total breast reconstruction.SEARCH METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, TRIP pro, and Prospero. All published original literature reporting on complications or satisfaction at the donor site in patients who underwent liposuction, followed by high-volume lipofilling was considered.MAIN RESULTS: This systematic review resulted in the inclusion of 21 cohort studies, consisting of 2241 participants. None of the studies reported donor site satisfaction scores of any kind. The most frequently reported donor site complication was ecchymosis (268 cases), followed by pain (122 cases), haematoma (58 cases), irregularities (12 cases), burns (four cases), and infection (three cases). Reports on follow-up and management of donor site complications were generally lacking.AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS: Results regarding the donor site are inconclusive. Pre-specified complications, a standardized manner of reporting, long-term follow-up, and patient-reported outcome measures are lacking in most of the studies. The impact of the donor site on quality of life after autologous fat grafting in breast reconstruction remains a blind spot. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020222870.