Semin Plast Surg 2020; 34(01): 011-016
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3402052
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Fat Processing Techniques

Erica Y. Xue
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Luciana Narvaez
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Carrie K. Chu
2   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
,
Summer E. Hanson
2   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Funding The authors have no financial interest in any of the products mentioned and have received no external support related to this study.
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 February 2020 (online)

Abstract

Autologous fat grafting is an aesthetic and reconstructive procedure in which an individual's own fat is harvested and injected into the soft tissues to correct contour and other abnormalities. Fat graft is considered the ideal soft tissue filler for its biocompatibility, lack of immunogenicity, and availability. The entire procedure of harvesting, processing, and transfer of fat graft affects fat graft take and effectiveness of fat grafting. This article will focus on the most common methods of fat graft processing, including centrifugation, cotton gauze rolling, sedimentation, and filtration/washing. The fragility of the harvested adipocytes makes the technique of fat graft processing of utmost importance, as blood and other unnecessary cellular fragments are removed. Each fat graft processing method has its own merits and shortcomings; however, due to a lack of well-defined prospective studies, there is no evidence to support one processing method as superior to another.

 
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