Breast Lipofilling: is the Bra Really Full? Clinical Bra Pressure Measurement and in Vitro Testing of Processed and Unprocessed Fat Cells

Breast lipofilling, a popular cosmetic and reconstructive procedure, involves the transplantation of autologous fat to enhance breast volume and contour. Despite its widespread use, cell processing and the aftertreatment remain controversial. This study investigates the pressure applied by a compression bra and reports in vitro stress tests of processed and unprocessed fat cells. Clinical bra pressure measurements were conducted on a cohort of 45 patients following lipofilling, reduction mammoplasties and DIEP flaps. Laboratory analysis included cell vitality testing using Resazurin assays of processed and unprocessed fat cells after exposure to mechanical or hyperbaric pressure. Our findings show a mean overall pressure value of the compression bra for all patients of 6.7 ± 5.7 mmHg (range 0–35). Cell processing is superior to sedimentation only regarding fat cell vitality. However, neither mechanical pressure within the specified range nor hyperbaric oxygen exposure significantly affected fat graft survival as measured by Resazurin assays. The in vitro measurements showed that it was impossible to harm fat cells with external pressure during lipofilling procedures, regardless of their processing. In the clinical context, the compression bra applied pressure values deceeding the perfusion pressure and may therefore not diminish oxygen supply nor harm the transplanted cells. Therefore, we recommend the use of a compression bra for all lipofilling procedures around the breast. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.