Acute limb ischaemia secondary to fat embolism following lipoinjection

Abstract

Peripheral arterial fat embolism is an exceptionally rare complication of autologous fat grafting. We report a 49-year-old woman who developed Rutherford grade IIB ischaemia of the left lower limb 90 min after combined liposuction and gluteo-femoral lipoinjection. Urgent thromboembolectomy 12 h later retrieved mature adipose fragments, yet progressive gangrene mandated transfemoral amputation. The case underscores the need for strict injection technique, intra-operative ultrasound guidance and prompt vascular referral when acute limb pain follows lipoinjection.