The meaning of fat necrosis can be described as a form of premature death of cells, characterised by the action upon fat by certain enzymes. Fat necrosis is non-cancerous.

Fat necrosis is one of many types of necrosis. Necrosis is cell death with inflammation (different from apoptosis, which is without inflammation).

Fat necrosis occurs in two forms.

1. Traumatic fat necrosis is the result of trauma. Cellular damage to fat-rich organs, such as the breasts, can lead to necrosis of the adipocytes.

2. Fat necrosis as a result of acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. In this case, damage to the pancrease releases lipolytic enzymes into the blood, causing damage, and eventual necrosis of adipocytes.

The main consequences of diep flap breast reconstruction include fat necrosis and abdominal hernia or bulge. The occurrence liability of fat necrosis is about 12% whereas abdominal hernia occurrence is about 0.7%.

Necroses is the plural of necrosis