Treatment of facial lipoatrophy via autologous fat transfer.

The advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has extended the lives of patients affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. A common cutaneous side effect of HAART is facial lipoatrophy. The hollowed out cheeks, temples and eye sockets often lead to a gaunt cachetic facies which can be a disconcerting stigmata of the disease and a psychological burden to the patient. Autologous fat transfer (ATF) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can temporarily improve the appearance in patients with facial lipoatrophy. Other corrective procedures (e.g., injectable fillers) are available, but, to date, the ideal procedure for permanent correction of facial lipoatrophy has not been found.