Failure of adipose tissue to heal in the capsule preformed by a silicone implant

Abstract

In experiments on rats 2 ml of adipose tissue obtained by resection of parauterine fat were introduced as free implants beneath the dorsal skin. In a first group, which served as control, implantation was made into a freshly made pocket. In a second group a silicone prosthesis was first implanted in the site. Two months later the prosthesis was removed, cutting through its connective tissue capsule, and replaced with the adipose tissue. In the first group the implants healed, though with the usual reduction in volume. In the second group transplantation failed completely, with absence of revascularization and resorption of the implant. This failure was ascribed to two causes: 1) delayed activation of the preformed capsule, and 2) compression of the implant due to exudate collecting in the intracapsular space.