Research Roundup
Mechanical Supplementation With the Stromal
Vascular Fraction Improved Volume Retention in Facial Lipotransfer: A 1-year
Comparative Study
Natale Ferreira
Gontijo-de-Amorim, PhD, Luiz Charles-de-Sa, MD; Aesthet Surg J 2017; 37 (9): 975-985
Background
Fat transfer procedures have demonstrated a
wide variety of benefits in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The procedure involves the transfer of fat
from one area to another. The
transferred fat adds volume and may improve the surrounding tissue quality due
to stem cells located within the adipose cells.
There is no consensus regarding the method of transfer that will result
in the best volume retention.
Methods
Lipoaspirate (fat from liposuction) was
separated through a common procedure involving centrifugation. This yields 3 layers of tissue- aqueous,
adipose, stromal vascular fraction (SVF).
Patients undergoing fat transfer procedures either received fat alone or
fat with SVF enrichment. Patients were
evaluated by CT scan and subjective aesthetic outcomes. The different fat preparations were evaluated
histologically.
Results
No complications were observed. Fat that was enriched with SVF demonstrated
an increase in volume retention versus fat alone. Patients treated with enriched fat demonstrated
an improved subjective outcome.
Histology demonstrated a large amount of stem cells within the SVF.
Conclusion
Fat transfer procedures including SVF are
associated with improved aesthetic appearance and better volume retention.
Take-home message
Fat
grafting procedures are a very powerful tool in plastic surgery. Fat transfer allows for increase in volume
and may improve surrounding tissue quality.
New methods may further enhance these results. Fat transfer is different than using dermal
fillers. Dermal fillers are temporary
and do not contain stem cells that are associated with tissue regeneration. Fat
transfer is now utilized in combination with a variety of aesthetic facial
plastic surgery procedures.
