Objective To review the application progress, mechanism, application points, limitations, and oncological safety of external volume expansion (EVE) assisted autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction and provide a reference for optimizing the design of EVE. Methods Based on the latest relevant articles, the basic experiments and clinical applications of EVE were summarized. ResultsEVE can reduce interstitial fluid pressure, increase blood supply, and promote adipogenic differentiation, thereby benefiting the survival of transplanted fat. EVE assisted autologous fat grafting in clinical practice can improve the retention rate of breast volume and the outcome of breast reconstruction, meanwhile it doesn’t increase the risk of local recurrence. But there is no standard parameters for application, and there are many complications and limitations. ConclusionEVE improves the survival of transplanted fat, but its complications and poor compliance are obvious, so it is urgent to further investigate customized products for breast reconstruction after breast cancer and establish relevant application guidelines.