The role of lipotransfer in postmastectomy breast reconstruction

Postmastectomy breast reconstruction could be a great challenge for the plastic surgeon. Besides oncological safety, the goal of breast reconstructive surgery is to restore breast anatomy and volume. This is certainly helpful for the patient to achieve good life quality after oncological surgery. The use of autologous fat transplantation to correct volume and contour defects, scars, and asymmetry after breast cancer surgery has increased over the past 20 years. The efficacy of the fat graft transplantation depends on the experience and the technique used by the surgeon. The supplementation of lipoaspirate with adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) has certainly improved graft survival. ASCs play a pivotal role in breast reconstruction through their regenerative properties. However, their use raised some concerns regarding oncological safety as they might favour cancer recurrence. In this review, we described the most recent techniques of fat harvesting and processing for the use in breast reconstruction surgery. We also highlighted the role of ASCs and their use in cell-Assisted lipotransfer.