An analysis of the experiences of 62 patients with moderate complications after full-face fat injection for augmentation.
BACKGROUND
Recently, fat injection has been performed across the globe and has several advantages. However, there have not been many studies regarding the relationship between complications and contributing factors. The authors analyzed factors present when complications occurred during fat injections into the face.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed for 62 patients who had moderate complications among the 1261 persons who had received full-face fat injection between April of 2004 and July of 2008. Complications included chronic edema, calcification, fibrosis, acne, headache, dysesthesia, drooping, and irregularity.


RESULTS
There were no differences among the first, second, and third injection groups regarding age, body weight, height, or body mass index. However, there were statistically significant differences in injection amount and complication occurrence time (p < 0.0001). There were statistically significant differences in injection amount and complication occurrence time between the fresh and frozen fat (p < 0.0001). There were statistically significant differences regarding age, injection amount, and complication occurrence time according to the complication groups (p < 0.0001). There was also a difference between timing of the injection and the complication frequency (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.0001) and between fat status and the complication frequency (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic edema, calcification, fibrosis, acne, headache, dysesthesia, drooping, and irregularity after full-face fat injection were observed as moderate complications. Although further study will be needed for the effective analysis of complications according to the number of injection or fat status, the authors found significant differences in age, complication occurrence time, and injection amount between some complication groups.


METHODS
Risk, II.
Seoul, Korea From IMI Plastic Surgery and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine.
Sung Min
SM
Kim
Young Seok
YS
Kim
Jong Won
JW
Hong
Tai Suk
TS
Roh
Dong Kyun
DK
Rah
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult