Skin necrosis after autologous fat grafting for augmentation rhinoplasty: a case report and review of the literature

J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2024 Dec 31:1-5. doi: 10.1080/14764172.2024.2421013. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: Autologous fat transplantation has gained increasing attention in the field of cosmetic surgery. However, a series of complications can occur after fat transplantation.

Case presentation: A 24-year-old woman presented at our Hospital with nasal skin necrosis and ulceration. She had undergone autologous fat transplantation on the nose six days ago. Physical examination showed an abnormal skin range of approximately 5 × 2 cm on the left side of the nose. The initial diagnosis was "skin necrosis after autologous fat grafting for augmentation rhinoplasty." In addition to the conventional treatment, topical oxygen therapy (TOT) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) injection were applied to the nasal wounds area. After 16 days, the pale and dark areas of necrosis on nose were scabby, and the local skin conditions were significantly improved.

Conclusion: We treated a case of ischemic necrosis of the skin after autologous fat grafting for augmentation rhinoplasty. For this kind of local vascular embolism, we first proposed a comprehensive therapy of "biological + physical + drug." The therapeutic method achieved satisfactory results, providing a new strategy for the clinical treatment of vascular embolism.

Keywords: Fat grafting; platelet-rich fibrin; stromal vascular fraction gel; topical oxygen therapy.