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Surgical Removal of Fat Nodules Formed in the Tear Trough After Autologous Fat Grafting

  • Original Articles
  • Fat Grafting/Regenerative Surgery
  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Autologous fat grafting is a common treatment for tear trough deformities. This procedure involves a potential complication of fat nodule formation, leading to abnormal bulging of the lower eyelid. However, limited information exists about this complication, and an effective treatment is lacking. The present study aimed to present a novel surgical approach for the removal of fat nodules caused by autologous fat grafting in the tear trough.

Methods

This retrospective study included 33 patients who underwent surgery for the removal of fat nodules formed after autologous fat grafting. The procedure was performed using a conjunctival approach, allowing exposure and removal of all fat nodules in the anterior septal space, with the method adapted according to the severity of the deformity.

Results

A total of 66 eyelids were treated surgically, including 30 (45.45%) with mild nodular deformity, 23 (34.85%) with moderate nodular deformity, and 13 (10.70%) with severe nodular deformity. A second surgical procedure was required on 3 eyelids (4.56%). The main complications of the surgery were conjunctival congestion (21.21%), and localized depression (18.18%), bruising (12.12%). Among the patients, 29 (87.88%) were satisfied and 4 (12.12%) were dissatisfied with the treatment results.

Conclusion

Conjunctival approach surgery is an effective method of removing fat nodules formed after autologous fat grafting in the tear trough, with good results and high levels of patient satisfaction. This approach enables the effective management of a common complication of autologous fat grafting and may enable the wider application of autologous fat grafting in the periorbital region.

Level of Evidence III

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Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plastic Surgery Department, Boai Hospital of Huanghua Development Zone, Cangzhou, 061100, Hebei Province, China

    Zhengang Li

  2. Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100144, China

    Ziming Zhang

  3. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, 1 Dongjiaominxiang Lane, Beijing, 100730, China

    Tao Ma & Lianji Xu

  4. Department of Cosmetic Injection Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100144, China

    Jintian Hu

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  1. Zhengang Li
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  2. Ziming Zhang
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  3. Tao Ma
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  4. Jintian Hu
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  5. Lianji Xu
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Contributions

ZL and ZZ contributed equally to this work. LX developed the idea and provided the data for the study. ZL and ZZ analyzed the data and wrote the paper. Other co-authors collect literature and polish the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lianji Xu.

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The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article.

Human and Animal Rights

The ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki were followed.

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Consent for the publication of recognizable patient photographs or other identifiable material was obtained by the authors and included at the time of article submission to the journal stating that the patients gave consent with the understanding that this information may be publicly available.

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Li, Z., Zhang, Z., Ma, T. et al. Surgical Removal of Fat Nodules Formed in the Tear Trough After Autologous Fat Grafting. Aesth Plast Surg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04057-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04057-3

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