Unintentional Intra-Implant Fat Injection During Breast Fat Grafting: A Case Report and Focused Review of the Literature.
Erica Smearman, Melissa Issa-Boube, Grant W Carlson
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Case in brief
A patient with a previously radiated breast developed a delayed implant infection 18 months after fat grafting. At explantation, surgeons found multiple punctures in the implant and fat within its interior, without free silicone extrusion. The report’s focused literature review describes implant puncture with intraprosthetic fat presenting with pain, capsular contracture, breast-shape change, or infection. Imaging may not readily detect this injury, and the authors characterize it as uncommon but potentially underrecognized.
What made this case unusual
The delayed infection was associated with multiple implant punctures and intraprosthetic fat, despite no free silicone extrusion.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
After fat grafting, implant injury should remain a consideration when symptoms such as infection, pain, contracture, or shape change arise; imaging may have limited ability to detect it.
Why it matters
The report highlights a potential complication of fat grafting and the importance of protective techniques to reduce cannula-related implant injury.