Attitudes of U.K. breast and plastic surgeons to lipomodelling in breast surgery

Lipomodelling is increasingly popular in breast surgery. The aims of this study were to elucidate the prevalence and practice of lipomodelling by surgeons in the UK and explore their attitudes and reservations to the technique.

Methodology: A study specific questionnaire was circulated to Breast and Plastic Surgeons with an interest in breast reconstruction.

Results: 228 surgeons responded. Lipomodelling in breast surgery was performed by 48/70 (69%) plastic surgeons and 17/158 (11%) breast surgeons (p < 0.0001). Most attitudes were positive with over 60% surgeons agreeing that the benefits of lipomodelling outweighed the risks. Critics cited the lack of prospective, long term follow up data (16%) in addition to oncological (4%), radiological (8%) and efficacy (4%) concerns.

Conclusions: Lipomodelling is performed by the majority of plastic surgeons who responded. Despite oncological, radiological and efficacy concerns, the majority of surgeons feel that the benefits of lipomodelling in the breast outweigh the risks.