Anatomical Fat Grafting for Reconstruction of Frontotemporal Contour Deformities After Neurosurgical and Craniofacial Surgical Interventions: A Symmetry Outcome Study

Abstract

Fat grafting has been described as an option to repair frontotemporal contour deformities (volumetric deficiency of bone and/or soft tissues) after neurosurgical/craniofacial surgical interventions. However, technical surgical descriptions have varied, with reports describing the bolus fat injection or the classical multilayer injection, but with no detailed descriptions concerning how and where the fat should be grafted. The purpose of this study was to assess the frontotemporal symmetry outcomes after a single fat-grafting procedure for postoperative frontotemporal contour deformity reconstructions using the anatomical fat-grafting approach. A prospective analysis was conducted of consecutive patients (n= 106) who underwent anatomical fat grafting (Coleman's structural fat grafting technique using anatomical facial subunit and fat compartment principles) to reconstruct frontotemporal contour deformities after neurosurgical/craniofacial surgical interventions. A subjective assessment by a panel of external surgical professionals and laypersons was obtained to grade the frontotemporal symmetry. Objective ultrasound symmetry assessment was blindly performed preoperatively and at 3- and 12-month follow-up. There were significant (all P < 0.05) postoperative subjective and objective frontotemporal symmetry enhancements (preoperative < postoperative) after anatomical fat grafting, with no differences (all P > 0.05) between the 3- and 12-month postoperative comparisons. Thirty-seven percent of patients required an additional fat grafting session for residual asymmetry after 12 months of follow-up. Patients with frontotemporal contour deformities presented improved subjective and objective frontotemporal symmetry after an anatomical fat grafting session.