8. The Versatile Role of Fat Injection during Various Genioplasties

Abstract

PURPOSE: Fat injection is increasingly common in aesthetic surgery due to autogenous volume augmentation, anti-inflammatory properties of adipocyte stem cells, regenerative potential, and restoration of youthful aesthetics. However, there is sparsity in the literature to the chin and corresponding complications. We report our experience with fat injection during chin surgery. METHODS: Data from our institution was collected from 2016-2022 for patients who underwent chin fat grafts and genioplasty alone. Patients with chin fat injection were divided into isolated chin fat injection (CFI), combined facial and chin fat injection (FFCFI) and those who underwent genioplasty or osteotomy in combination with chin fat injection (CFIO). Patient demographics and surgical details were compiled for each patient. Complications and reoperations were compared using Fischer’s exact test compared to genioplasty alone. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were included in the final analysis, with 14 CFI patients, 130 FFCFI patients, 24 CFIO patients, and 13 patients who underwent genioplasty alone. Additional fat injections were required in 17 (9.4%) patients overall, which included 14 FFCFI patients (10.8%) and three CFIO patients (12.5%) (p=0.73). No patients who underwent genioplasty alone or CFI required reoperation. There were no significant differences in complications between the genioplasty-alone (0%) in comparison to the CFI (7.1%; p=1.00), FFCFI (8.3%; p=0.53), or CFIO cohorts (7.7%; p=1.00). CONCLUSION: Fat injection provides options for augmentation on patients as either an isolated procedure or in combination with osteotomies for enhanced aesthetic outcomes, and has low complication rates.