title: The Role of Microfat Grafting in Facial Contouring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital hypoplasia of facial bones has traditionally been treated by orthognathic surgery. However, the inherent invasiveness of orthognathic surgery often leads to a high complication rate. Facial fat grafting could be a less invasive method to correct facial deformities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of microfat grafting for facial contouring.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective chart review evaluated 166 patients who were treated with microfat grafting for maxillary and/or mandibular hypoplasia. Pretreatment and posttreatment photographs were compared regarding improvement of facial contour, and complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 10 years (mean, 2 years 7 months). Thirty-eight percent of the patients had a refill procedure 6 or more months after the first procedure. A majority of the evaluated patients stated that they benefited from the microfat grafting, with ratings of excellent (50%), sufficient (48%), and poor (2%). Complications included visible fat lobules under the lower eyelid skin (7%), which was seen during the first 4 years and was resolved by changing the injection cannulae and technique, and fat resorption, which was seen in all patients, with a clinical range from ±15% in the immobile malar area and chin region to ±50% in the mobile lip area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Facial microfat grafting is a valuable alternative to more complicated advancement osetotomies being performed in patients solely for aesthetic reasons. The low morbidity and rapid recovery make facial microfat grafting a welcome tool in the armamentarium of the modern facial aesthetic surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Prof Lindenblatt is a Senior Attending Plastic Surgeon, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Ms Van Hulle is a plastic surgery resident at a private practice in Gent, Belgium. Drs Verpaele and Tonnard are plastic surgeons in private practice in Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lindenblatt
authors.affiliation: Prof Lindenblatt is a Senior Attending Plastic Surgeon, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Ms Van Hulle is a plastic surgery resident at a private practice in Gent, Belgium. Drs Verpaele and Tonnard are plastic surgeons in private practice in Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Hulle
authors.affiliation: Prof Lindenblatt is a Senior Attending Plastic Surgeon, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Ms Van Hulle is a plastic surgery resident at a private practice in Gent, Belgium. Drs Verpaele and Tonnard are plastic surgeons in private practice in Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Alexis M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Verpaele
authors.affiliation: Prof Lindenblatt is a Senior Attending Plastic Surgeon, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Ms Van Hulle is a plastic surgery resident at a private practice in Gent, Belgium. Drs Verpaele and Tonnard are plastic surgeons in private practice in Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Tonnard
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D015187:Lipectomy; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult