Published in:
01-09-2014 | Original Paper
A quantitative analysis of the effects of different harvesting, preparation, and injection methods on the integrity of fat cells
Published in: European Journal of Plastic Surgery | Issue 9/2014
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Background
The percentage of intact fat cells membrane obtained by even a well-known technique remains poorly studied. The purposes of this study were to evaluate and compare the structural effects of various harvesting, preparation, and injection methods on human fat cell integrity.
Methods
We enrolled 20 healthy females in this study, ages ranged from 20 to 41 years with an average age of 31 ± 0.5 years. We harvested fat tissues from the abdomen and thigh of donors using two different methods: conventional and syringe liposuction; we treated the aspirated fat specimens within 30 min of harvesting by fine-mesh gauze or using centrifugation. We injected the prepared fat through small or large needle, and then obtained a specimen from each different method. We analyzed all fat graft samples by routine histological examination.
Results
There was a significant difference in the percentage of intact fat cells wall was observed in syringe aspiration (75.95 ± 0.31 %) versus vacuum liposuction (56.43 % ± 0.67). There was a significant difference in the percentage of intact fat cells when using centrifugation versus fine-mesh gauze preparation. Also there was a significant difference in the percentage of intact fat cells observed when using large versus small needle for injection.
Conclusions
The highest intact adipocyte counts were in syringe suction, no centrifuge, and using large cannula, while the fewest intact adipocyte counts were in conventional liposuction, using centrifuge, and using small cannula.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, prognostic study