Fat grafting of hairy areas of head and neck - comparison between lipofilling and nanofat grafting procedures in a cadaveric study

Abstract

AimFat grafting has well-recognized effects in terms of volume gain, skin trophicity, relieving of post-wound nevralgia. Recent publications suggest a regenerative action on hair follicles. The objective of our study was to compare lipofilling and nanofat grafting in hairy areas of head and neck so as to determine a convenient fat injection technique for those areas in the prospect of treating alopecia. Material and methodsOur study compared lipofilling and nanofat grafting, in a cadaveric study involving one body. ResultsLipofilling was found easy to perform in the face, avoiding classical pitfalls, but was more difficult in the scalp areas. Nanofat grafting seemed particularly convenient to inject into the scalp, especially in Merkel's space, and hairy areas that required high precision injections. ConclusionAfter having compared lipofilling and nanofat grafting in hairy areas of the head and neck, we propose a combination of lipofilling (in hairy areas where a durable gain of volume is acceptable, in case of burn or scar) and nanofat grafting (in all hairy areas and in Merkel's space in scalp areas). This technique may be used either as a complement of hair follicle grafting or as a regenerative treatment of alopecia.