Berenguer B, Gallo H, Rodríguez Urcelay P, Marín Guztke M, González Meli B, Enríquez de Salamanca J
Sección de Cirugía Plástica, Hospital Niño Jesús, Madrid.
Cir Pediatr. 2005 Jan;18(1):49-51.
Progressive hemifacial Atrophy (PHA) or Romberg's Disease is a rare entity of unknown etiology, which most often affects only one side of the face and can include all tissue planes in different grades of severity. Of the several treatments proposed, pedicled or free flaps seem to achieve the best cosmetic results in severe cases. In mild to moderate cases, free autologous fat transplant may obtain optimal results with lower complexity, cost and morbidity. The presence of multiple adipoblasts might increase the possibilities of graft take, particularly in children. Furthermore, refinements in the processes of extraction, preparation and reintroduction of the fat have contributed to improve the results that may be long lasting. We present 2 cases of PHA in 2 girls (11 and 13 years old), that were treated by lipofilling. No complications occurred. In both cases we observed a small reduction in the volume of the initial graft. Thus the procedure was repeated 6 months later to improve facial symmetry. Results have been excellent in one year follow-up.