Lymphedema Fat Graft: An Ideal Filler for Facial Rejuvenation

Fabio Nicoli; Ram M. Chilgar; Stamatis Sapountzis; Davide Lazzeri; Matthew Yeo Sze Wei; Pedro Ciudad; Marzia Nicoli; Seong Yoon Lim; Pei-Yu Chen; Joannis Constantinides; Hung-Chi Chen

doi:10.5999/aps.2014.41.5.588

Archives of Plastic Surgery, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2014; 41(05): 588-593
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2014.41.5.588

Idea and Innovation

Lymphedema Fat Graft: An Ideal Filler for Facial Rejuvenation

Authors

Fabio Nicoli

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Villa Salaria Clinic, Rome, Italy
Ram M. Chilgar

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Stamatis Sapountzis

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Davide Lazzeri

Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Villa Salaria Clinic, Rome, Italy
Matthew Yeo Sze Wei

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Pedro Ciudad

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Marzia Nicoli

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy

Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Villa Salaria Clinic, Rome, Italy

Department of Immunology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
Seong Yoon Lim

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Pei-Yu Chen

Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
Joannis Constantinides

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
Hung-Chi Chen

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

Abstract

Lymphedema is a chronic disorder characterized by lymph stasis in the subcutaneous tissue. Lymphatic fluid contains several components including hyaluronic acid and has many important properties. Over the past few years, significant research has been performed to identify an ideal tissue to implant as a filler. Because of its unique composition, fat harvested from the lymphedema tissue is an interesting topic for investigation and has significant potential for application as a filler, particularly in facial rejuvenation. Over a 36-month period, we treated and assessed 8 patients with lymphedematous limbs who concurrently underwent facial rejuvenation with lymphedema fat (LF). We conducted a pre- and post-operative satisfaction questionnaire survey and a histological assessment of the harvested LF fat. The overall mean general appearance score at an average of 6 months after the procedure was 7.2±0.5, demonstrating great improvement. Patients reported significant improvement in their skin texture with a reading of 8.5±0.7 and an improvement in their self-esteem. This study demonstrates that LF as an ideal autologous injectable filler is clinically applicable and easily available in patients with lymphedema. We recommend the further study and clinical use of this tissue as it exhibits important properties and qualities for future applications and research.

Keywords

Lymphedema - Adipose tissue - Hyaluronic acid - Rejuvenation - Esthetics

Full Text

References

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