Fat injections for facial rejuvenation: 17 years experience in 1720 patients

Abstract

Autologous adipose tissue has been proved to be an excellent filling material. Fat injections can correct cosmetic defects that are caused by loss of subcutaneous tissue, such as atrophy of the face due to significant weight loss, wrinkles and facial involution due to ageing. To evaluate the safety and long-term results of facial rejuvenation by autologous fat injections using the fine-needle technique to inject fat and frozen fat for repeating the implantation procedure. Patients were evaluated clinically and photographically. Extraction, processing and implantation of fat were performed using an anaerobic technique. The fat was harvested by tumescent liposuction, using syringes and small diameter blunt-tip cannulas (2-3 mm). After washing the collected fat in normal saline it was centrifuged, transferred to small syringes (1-2.5 mL diameter) and then injected subcutaneously using fine needles of 21-23 G. Hypercorrection was avoided, so one or two repetitions of the fat injections were usually necessary, at intervals of at least 1 month, in order to achieve the desired cosmetic result. Using frozen fat simplified repeat fat implantation. The clinical long-term follow-up of 1720 patients up to 17 years is presented. Absorption of the injected fat was estimated at 40-60%. The absorption rate varied a lot in each case. Long-term follow-up proved that final correction after two or more repetitions of frozen fat injections, persisted for many years, the longest proved to be more than 12 years. The advantages of the fine-needle technique for fat grafting were very important: more accurate and refined work, less painful injections, no scars at needle puncture points, early treatment of small defects, and the facility to treat multiple sites, even the entire face, in one session. There were no major complications. Oedema and sometimes echymoses at the donor site for 6-10 days and slight bruising at the injected areas for 3-5 days are the disadvantages of the procedure.