Autologous fat injection into the pectoralis major as an adjunct to surgical correction of gynecomastia.

BACKGROUND

Correction of gynecomastia in males is a frequently performed aesthetic procedure. Various surgical options involving the removal of excess skin, fat, or glandular tissue have been described. However, poor aesthetic outcomes, including a flat or depressed pectoral area, limit the success of these techniques.

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to determine patient satisfaction with the results of upper chest augmentation by direct intrapectoral fat injection in conjunction with surgical correction of gynecomastia.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 26 patients underwent liposuction and glandular excision, glandular excision alone, or Benelli-type skin excision. All patients received intramuscular fat injections in predetermined zones of the pectoralis major (PM). The mean volume of fat injected was 160 mL (range, 80-220 mL per breast) bilaterally. Patients were monitored for an average of 16 months (range, 8-24 months).

RESULTS

Hematoma formation and consequent infraareolar depression was noted in 1 patient and was corrected by secondary lipografting. Mean patient satisfaction was rated as 8.4 on a scale of 1 (unsatisfactory) to 10 (highly satisfactory).

CONCLUSIONS

Autologous intrapectoral fat injection performed simultaneously with gynecomastia correction can produce a masculine appearance. The long-term viability of fat cells injected into the PM needs to be determined.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Therapeutic.