fettabweisung

Fettabweisung is a term used primarily in German to describe the rejection or resorption of adipose tissue by the body. It is not a standard, widely defined medical diagnosis, and its usage varies across sources. In most contexts, fettabweisung refers to processes that lead to loss of fat after adipose tissue transplantation or grafting, rather than to a clearly delineated disease.

In clinical practice, adipose tissue transplantation (lipofilling) is used in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. The survival of transplanted fat depends on rapid revascularization and integration into the host tissue. If the graft fails to reconnect with a sufficient blood supply, fat cells may die, inflammation may occur, and the graft can be resorbed or rejected to some degree. In allogeneic (donor) fat grafts, immune recognition can contribute to graft rejection, whereas autologous (the patient’s own) fat is less prone to immune-mediated rejection but still subject to partial loss due to ischemia, edema, or surgical technique.

Diagnosis of fettabweisung is usually based on clinical observation of reduced graft volume, sometimes supplemented by imaging (MRI or CT) or, in uncertain cases, histological examination to distinguish rejection from simple resorption or fat necrosis.

Management focuses on improving graft survival: careful harvesting and processing of fat, ensuring adequate vascularization, and, when appropriate, repeat grafting procedures. In allogeneic applications, immunosuppressive strategies may be considered.

See also: lipofilling, adipose tissue transplantation, graft rejection, fat necrosis, immunosuppression.