Microscopic and Macroscopic Fat Embolism (MIFE and MAFE): Solving the puzzle with cases reports .

Introduction: The frequency of fat embolism mortality after liposuction has increased. As the only dependable evidence for this problem is that available in the medical literature, a study of clinical case reports is warranted. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical literature by searching for case reports of fat embolism after liposuction in humans who manifested either of the variants of the condition: microscopic fat embolism (MIFE) or macroscopic fat embolism (MAFE). We performed a literature search of the PubMed and PubMed Central (PMC) databases from the first case of fat embolism syndrome associated with liposuction reported until March 2017; keywords FAT EMBOLISM (FAT EMBOLISM SYNDROME), LIPOSUCTION, and CASE (((fat embolism) AND liposuction) AND case) were used. A detailed analysis of the data contained in the clinical case reports was conducted. Results: In total, 39 and 98 articles were found in PubMed and PMC, respectively, using the keywords ((fat+embolism)+AND+liposuction)+AND+case). After analysis, only 15 reports corresponded to cases of MAFE or MIFE after liposuction, and the basic statistics of the two proposed variants were examined. Conclusion: This work provides relevant information regarding very important characteristics of MIFE and MAFE. Despite the diagnostic difficulty, clinical diagnosis remains the gold standard for identifying MIFE and MAFE. The establishment of a rapid and timely diagnosis is of great help for appropriate treatment. Financial Disclosure Statement: The authors have nothing to disclose. No funding was received for this article Corresponding author: Dr. Héctor Durán. Calle 54 Num. 365 Int. 317, Centro Médico de las Américas, Colonia Centro, Mérida Yucatán México, CP 97000, E mail : hcdv@hotmail.com ©2018American Society of Plastic Surgeons