The Role of Recipient Sites in Fat-Graft Survival

Abstract

The survival of fat grafts depends on many factors, 1 of the major being early revascularization. Early studies showed that adipose tissue has a low tolerance to ischemia. Some methods have been described to increase the tolerance of adipose tissue to ischemia. This study was designed to compare volume maintenance of the transplanted fat graft in different recipient sites of the rabbit face. Three groups of 5 New Zealand white rabbits were studied. Fat grafts harvested from the right inguinal fat pad were transplanted to the buccomandibular area of the rabbit's face. Three different recipient sites (subcutaneous, supramuscular, and submuscular) were dissected on each side of the face, and groups were formulated based on this difference of recipient sites. Morphometric, as well as histopathologic, analyses were done, and the results revealed a statistically significant increase of fat graft survival in supramuscular layer (81.95% +/- 4.40%) than in subcutaneous (41.62% +/- 3.29%) and submuscular layer (37.31% +/- 5.77%) (P<0.05). This study demonstrates that selection of an "appropriate recipient site" should enhance ultimate fat-graft survival.

A high‐throughput model for fat graft assessment

“…Fat graft volume reduction appears to be caused, in part, by mechanical stresses from harvesting techniques [3] and early ischemia-reperfusion injury [4]. These injuries can lead to apoptosis [5,6].…”

Qualitative analysis of the viability of autogenous fat grafts grafted in different environments of interstitial pressure. Preliminary results and description of a new experimental model in mini-pigs

“…Previous studies using small animals have evaluated the viability of AFG and suggested different technical aspects to obtain better integration 19,20,22 . Karacaoglu et al 20 analyzed the AFG volume maintenance in different recipient sites in a rabbit model.…”

“…Karacaoglu et al 20 analyzed the AFG volume maintenance in different recipient sites in a rabbit model. Based on histopathologic analyses, the authors observed a significant increase of fat graft survival in supramuscular layer (81.95%) than in submuscular layer (37.31%) (P<0.05).…”

“…In fact, previous animal models for AFG have the disadvantage that does not allow simulating the fat grafting process [19][20][21] . In addition, these animals' models presents fatty deposits that are disproportionately reduced when compared to liposuction cannulas normally used in humans, and therefor making it difficult to reproduce the surgical procedure.…”

Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Treated with Estradiol Enhance Survival of Autologous Fat Transplants

“…A significant aspect of adipose tissue engineering is to reduce the fat absorption and to retain its predesigned physical contour and dimension after transplantation (Karacaoglu et al 2005;Yamaguchi et al 2005;Coleman and Saboeiro 2007;Missana et al 2007;Ogawa et al 2007). Yoshimura and co-workers recently demonstrated that adipose derived stem or stromal cells (ADSCs)-enriched AFT was efficient in breast augmentation and facial lipoatrophy, with stable natural contour and without any major side effects (Yoshimura et al 2008a, b).…”