Patient use of autologous cryopreserved intact adipose tissue from lipoaspirate

Abstract

Autologous fat grafting has now been extensively and successfully performed for more than two decades. Although most adipose grafts and adipose-derived MSC therapies are done with fresh tissue, cryopreservation of tissue allows much greater flexibility of use. Over the course of five years, 194 cryopreserved adipose samples were thawed and returned to the collecting physician for subsequent autologous applications. Samples were stored with a mean cryogenic storage time of 9.5 months with some samples being stored as long as 44 months. The volumes of tissue stored varied from 12 cc to as large as 960 cc. Upon thaw the volume of recovered whole adipose tissue averaged 67% of the original amount stored. The recovery ranged from a low of 21% (n = 1) to a high of 100% (n = 1). Recovery was not found to be a function of collection volume, amount of tissue thawed, or length of time in cryopreservation. No association was found between tissue recovery and patient age. Viability of thawed cells remained high with a mean value of 91%. While an average recovery of 67% of volume frozen indicates that the use of banked and thawed tissue requires a larger amount of sample be taken from the patient initially, this requirement is easily accomplished by an experienced clinician. As cryopreservation of adipose tissue becomes more commonplace physicians will find it helpful to know the amount and quality of tissue that will be available after thawing procedures.