Endothelial Differentiated Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Improvement of Survival and Neovascularization in Fat Transplantation.

Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) assisted lipotransfer have been considered to facilitate the survival of fat grafts. However, emerging evidence of insufficient vascularization is another obstacle for fat graft survival in cell-assisted lipotransfer. Objectives: This study evaluated if endothelial phenotype ASCs with fat lipoaspirate improves survival and neovascularization in fat transplantation. Methods: ASCs were isolated from human periumbilical fat tissue and cultured in endothelial growth medium for 2 weeks. Fat lipoaspirate was mixed with fresh adipose stroma vascular fraction (SVF), endothelial differentiated ASCs (EC/ASCs), and fat lipoaspirate alone. Three fat mixtures were subcutaneously injected into the adult male Sprague-Dawley rat's dorsum at 3 locations. At 8 weeks after transplantation, the grafted fat lipoaspirates were harvested, and the extracted fat was evaluated using photographic, survival weights measurements and histological examination. Neo-vascularization was quantified by immunofluorescence and real-time RT-PCR. Results: Grafts from the EC/ASC assisted group had a higher survival rate, morphologic integrity, and most uniform lipid droplets. They also revealed less inflammation and fibrosis with increased number of vessels by histological and immunofluorescence analysis. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression levels of EC-specific markers of CD31 and vWF were higher in the EC/ASC group compared with in the control and fat with SVF transplants. Conclusions: These results indicated that co-implantation of fat lipoaspirate with ASCs differentiated toward an endothelial phenotype improves both survival and neovascularization of the transplanted fat lipoaspirate, which might provide benefits and represents a promising strategy for clinical application in autologous fat transplantation.

Influences of Age, Gender, and Body Mass Index on the Thickness of the Abdominal Fatty Layers and its Relevance for Abdominal Liposuction and Abdominoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Liposuction and lipoabdominoplasty procedures frequently involve the treatment of the superficial and deep fatty layers of the abdomen. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present investigation was to provide comprehensive data on the thickness of the abdominal fatty layers in relation to age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: The study investigated 150 Caucasian individuals; there was an equal distribution of males and females (each n = 75) and a balanced distribution of age (n = 30 per decade: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years) and BMI (n = 50 per group: BMI ≤24.9, 25.0-29.9, and ≥30 kg/m2). Ultrasound-based measurements of the superficial and deep abdominal fatty layers were performed. RESULTS: An increase in BMI was associated with an increase in total abdominal wall fat thickness. The measured increase was related more to the thickness of the deep fatty layer than to the thickness of the superficial fatty layer (Z = 1.80, P = 0.036). An increase in age was associated with a decrease in thickness of the superficial fatty layer (rp = -0.104, P = 0.071) but with an increase in thickness of the deep fatty layer (rp = 0.197, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Age and BMI can change the thickness of both the superficial and deep fatty layers of the anterior abdominal wall, thus influencing the plan and conduct of cosmetic surgical procedures. Knowledge of the layered anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall, as well as its associated blood supply, is important for surgeons performing procedures in this area.

Estimation of DIEP flap weight for breast reconstruction by the pinch test.

BACKGROUND: Various methods have been introduced for estimating deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap volume based on computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiographic images. However, when radiologic images cannot be obtained, estimations are subjective. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model for estimating DIEP flap weight using the pinch test. METHODS: The pinch test was performed at three paraumbilical sites using a skin-fold caliper in 107 consecutive patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop a formula to estimate flap weight. Predictor variables included body mass index (BMI, kg/m2 ), flap height (H, cm), flap width (W, cm), and flap thickness (mm) measured by the pinch test at the following three paraumbilical sites: 5 cm right (R), left (L), and inferior (I) of the umbilicus. The model accuracy was tested using leave-one-out cross-validation. RESULTS: A prediction model was developed from the multiple regression analysis (R2 = 89.03%, P < .001); flap weight, g = -1308 + 24.57 × BMI + 6.80 × (R + L)/2 + 7.89 × I + 20.51 × H + 32.55 × W. The formula was implemented in a smartphone application, DIEP-W version 2.0, for real-time use. The mean absolute percentage error in the cross-validation was 12.15%. CONCLUSIONS: DIEP flap weight can be estimated by the pinch test with the developed prediction model in an easy, cost-effective, and relatively accurate manner. This method will improve surgical planning and allow surgeons to provide better counselling for patients when radiologic images are not available.

Mycobacterium Chelonae Infection of the Buttocks Secondary to Lipofilling: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Mycobacterium chelonae is a nontuberculous mycobacterium, classified as a Runyon type IV mycobacterium. In relation to humans, it is most commonly associated with tissue trauma or pulmonary infections. The majority of medical reports describe finding M. chelonae in the surgical setting, attributing infection to inadequate sterilization of surgical equipment. Symptoms are often nonspecific and include pain, erythema, and draining subcutaneous nodules and skin lesions. Therefore, the diagnosis of M. chelonae is often difficult to establish without prior suspicion of the disease, but can be confirmed with culture. We will describe the case of a 40-year-old female who contracted M. chelonae infection of the buttocks after abdominal liposuction and gluteal fat injection. We will describe her symptomatology, diagnosis, and successful treatment with surgical excision and antibiotics. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Two-Year Follow-Up of Autologous Fat Grafting With Laser-Assisted Facelifts.

Skin tightening and improved facial contouring can be achieved through a variety of modalities including traditional facelifts, autologous fat injections, laser resurfacing, laser liposuction fibers, and includes the popular use of botox and synthetic fillers. Facial fat grafting has been helpful in treating the volume deficient aging face and can easily be injected following subcutaneous laser therapy. We will demonstrate in this clinical study that lasers and fat grafting can be used safely in combination with facelifts to improve skin contouring and tightness compared with single therapy. From 2012 to 2014, 31 patients received facial laser fiber contouring, facial fat injections and 25 of these patients underwent a concomitant facelift. Facial contouring was achieved using a subcutaneous laser fiber with the wavelengths 1064 nm and 1320 nm. After the laser treatment, fat injections were performed with 1-mL syringes and small injection cannulas. Standard surgical facelifts with were then performed. Results showed excellent improvement in perioral, periorbital, and cheek rejuvenation with excellent fat retention in the temples at 2 years.In conclusion, laser fiber contouring with autologous facial fat injections represents an excellent therapy for facial contouring and can be used safely and effectively in combination with facelifts.

Isolated Autologous Free Fat Grafting for Management of Facial Contour Asymmetry in a Subset of Growing Patients With Craniofacial Microsomia.

BACKGROUND: To report autologous free fat grafting as an isolated procedure to manage facial contour asymmetry of a subset of growing patients with craniofacial microsomia (CFM). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of CFM patients (n = 11) with low socioeconomic and intellectual status, poor oral hygiene, living far from our center, Pruzansky-Kaban I/II mandibles, without functional concerns, and with no craniofacial skeletal surgery who underwent isolated free fat grafting between 2012 and 2013 was conducted. Surgeon and parent/patient satisfaction were elicited. Computerized photogrammetric quantitative and qualitative facial symmetry analyses were performed. RESULTS: All patients underwent isolated autologous free fat grafting to restore the facial contour symmetry. Surgeon and patient/parent were mostly satisfied. There were significant (all P < 0.05) postoperative quantitative facial symmetry enhancement and an overall qualitative facial symmetry enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: A significant improvement of facial symmetry was obtained in this subset of growing CFM patients using only isolated free fat grafting.

Rhinopharyngeal autologous fat injection for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with cleft palate.

Patients with cleft palate are prone to velopharyngeal insufficiency. In minor cases or when hypernasal speech does not resolve after velopharyngoplasty, an augmentation pharyngoplasty with autologous fat can be proposed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the short-term (within 2 months) and long-term efficiency (during the 24 months following the procedure) of our procedure in the setting of velopharyngeal insufficiency related to a cleft palate. Twenty-two patients with cleft palate related velopharyngeal insufficiency were included in this retrospective study. All patients were operated following the same technique, in the same institution. The pre- and postoperative evaluations included a nasometry, a subjective evaluation using the Borel-Maisonny score, and a nasofibroscopy to assess the degree of velopharyngeal closure. Scores of Borel-Maisonny and nasometry were compared before, shortly after the procedure (within 2 months) and long term after the procedure (within 24 months). Forty-one procedures in 22 patients with a cleft palate performed in our institution between October 2004 and January 2012 were included in the study. Nine patients had a previous velopharyngoplasty with persistent rhinolalia despite intensive speech therapy. In 14 patients the procedure was repeated because of recurrent hypernasal speech after the first injection. The average number of procedures per patient was 1.8. Postoperative nasometry and Borel-Maisonny scores were statistically significantly improved and remained stable until the end of the follow-up (median 42 months postoperative) in most patients. Complications were rare and minor. Autologous fat injection is a simple procedure for treatment of minor velopharyngeal insufficiencies in patients with cleft palate, with good long-term results and few complications.

Xenotransplantation of human fetal adipose tissue: a model of in vivo adipose tissue expansion and adipogenesis.

Obesity during childhood and beyond may have its origins during fetal or early postnatal life. At present, there are no suitable in vivo experimental models to study factors that modulate or perturb human fetal white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion, remodeling, development, adipogenesis, angiogenesis, or epigenetics. We have developed such a model. It involves the xenotransplantation of midgestation human WAT into the renal subcapsular space of immunocompromised SCID-beige mice. After an initial latency period of approximately 2 weeks, the tissue begins expanding. The xenografts are healthy and show robust expansion and angiogenesis for at least 2 months following transplantation. Data and cell size and gene expression are consistent with active angiogenesis. The xenografts maintain the expression of genes associated with differentiated adipocyte function. In contrast to the fetal tissue, adult human WAT does not engraft. The long-term viability and phenotypic maintenance of fetal adipose tissue following xenotransplantation may be a function of its autonomous high rates of adipogenesis and angiogenesis. Through the manipulation of the host mice, this model system offers the opportunity to study the mechanisms by which nutrients and other environmental factors affect human adipose tissue development and biology.

Preoperative color duplex echographical venous mapping before autologous fat graft for calf augmentation: a case report of superficial vein thrombosis and prevalence of intersaphenic anastomosis.

Autologous fat grafting for calf augmentation is considered an easy and safe technique. Only few cases of potential complications have been described in literature; among them, vein thrombosis was never reported. We report a case of superficial vein thrombosis of the intersaphenic anastomosis after fat graft for calf symmetrization in club-foot syndrome. A color duplex echographical study showed that such intersaphenic anastomoses are present in all patients, but they have an ectatic diameter in 70% of patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency and in 50% of patients without insufficiency. The plastic surgeon should be aware of the presence and topography of such anatomical variations before performing the procedure. Moreover, a preoperative color duplex echographical venous mapping may help the surgeon in avoiding the trauma on vein variants and subsequent complications.

Periumbilical fat graft: a new resource to replace large volume in the orbit.

GOAL: To describe the technique we use to obtain a fat graft from the periumbilical area to replace volume in our patients requiring total or partial orbital volume restoration or replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under local anaesthesia a one-piece fat auto-graft is obtained from one of the quadrants of the periumbilical zone through a 10- to 15-mm incision at the umbilicus edge. RESULTS: Excised adipose tissue contains connective tracts, with medium and small vascular vessels with discrete thickened wall and preserved endothelium, with more blood cells, and less dead cells. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafts are the ideal fillers for patients requiring orbital volume replacement. The periumbilical fat graft technique we describe is simple, safe and fast, the learning slope shallow and the results gratifying in both the replaced volume, and the donor area with an invisible scar. The amount of fat that can be obtained with this technique through a minimal incision can be large enough.

Autologous fat transfer in aesthetic facial recontouring.

Autologous fat graft transplantation has become increasingly popular in recent years. The recognition that soft tissue volume loss contributes to the aging of the face has driven the use of this procedure. Tumescent lipoaspirate provides ready accessibility of tissue for this transplantation, despite some perceived deficiencies in the predictability of volume maintenance with this method. We report our experience with immediately processed sedimented fat transfer for facial grooves and volume correction. A retrospective review of a consecutive series of 75 autologous fat transfers from October 2008 to July 2011 in 8 female patients between ages 46 and 73 years was conducted at Georgia Health Sciences University. The grafting was performed to improve facial aesthetic contours. Twenty-two were performed for correction of grooves and creases: 12 for nasolabial fold, 4 glabella, and 6 nasojugal. Fifty-three transfers were performed for volume augmentation: 17 malar, 14 submalar, 11 lip, 8 temple, 2 chin, and 1 jowl. A tumescent technique with manual syringe harvest was used. The abdomen was the most frequently used donor site. The tumescent was decanted from the lipoaspirate. Oil and nonviable fat were excluded. Care was taken to reduce the time from harvest to transplantation, with no syringe transfers, minimizing potential oxidation and injury of the tissue. The mean volume of fat transferred was 24 mL (range, 4-54 mL). Mean follow-up was 25 months (range, 6-36 months). A second session of fat transfer was required in a small percentage. Complications included minor asymmetry in 1 patient (resolved with graft manipulation) and prolonged swelling in another. No postoperative cellulitis or fat necrosis was reported. Clinical evaluations and patients reported a satisfactory result 88% of the time. Patients universally reported (100%) a desire to have the procedure performed again. Autologous fat transfer for facial soft tissue contouring is simple, safe, inexpensive, and effective. Its ready availability, natural integration into host tissues, and potentially permanent correction make it particularly useful for this application. All patients were satisfied with the soft, natural appearance.

The extended diep flap: extending the possibilities for breast reconstruction with tissue from the lower abdomen.

BACKGROUND: The classical DIEP-flap is considered state-of-the-art in microsurgical autologous breast reconstruction. Some patients may require additional volume to match the contralateral breast. This quality control study prospectively evaluates the feasibility and outcome of a surgical technique, which pursues the volumetric augmentation of the DIEP-flap by harvesting of additional subscarpal fat tissue cranial to the classical flap border. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For radiologically based estimation of volumetric flap-gain potential, abdominal CT-scans of 10 Patients were randomly selected and used for computerized volumetric estimates. Surgical evaluation of the technique was prospectively performed between 09/2009 and 09/2010 in 10 patients undergoing breast reconstruction with extended DIEP-flap at two institutions. The outcome regarding size, volume, and symmetry was evaluated. RESULTS: Radiologically, the mean computed volume gain of an extended DIEP was 16.7%, when compared with the infraumbilical unilateral flap volume. Clinically, the intraoperatively measured mean volume gain was of 98.6 g (range: 75-121 g), representing 13.8% of the flap volume. All 10 flaps survived without revision surgery. In three flaps, minor fat necrosis occurred in zone III and was treated conservatively. No fat necrosis was observed in the extended flap area. CONCLUSIONS: In this first prospective series, the extended DIEP-flap proved to be feasible, reliable and safe for its use in breast reconstruction. Both radiological estimation and intraoperative measurements demonstrated a statistically significant volume gain with no complications in the extended area. The technique is of benefit in selected patients requiring additional reconstructive volume than the one achieved with the classical DIEP-flap. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

Inadvertent subcutaneous injection of hypertonic saline solution during lipofilling.

Subcutaneous infiltration with a mixture of plain saline and adrenaline is a useful option in lipoharvesting for autologous fat grafting. This report presents the case of 34-year-old woman who experienced inadvertent subcutaneous injection of hypertonic saline solution during body fat harvesting. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

Labia majora labioplasty in HIV-related vaginal lipodystrophy: technique description and literature review.

BACKGROUND: We present a rare case involving severe hypertrophy of the labia majora. This 39-year-old married woman developed a clinically noticeable bilateral lipodystrophy of her labia majora following the administration of chronic antiretroviral therapy. Different combination drug regimens that included drugs like Crixivan(®), Epivir(®), and Zerit(®) were administered to the patient from 1998 to 2005. The patient is currently on a single drug regimen of Atripla(®) with the disease under control and no other comorbidities. The severity of the pubic protuberance created an appearance resembling male genitalia, even when covered by underwear. This anatomical abnormality obviously impaired her social life and forced her to avoid wearing tight pants, swimming garments, and tight clothes in general. She also avoided any sexual activity. METHODS: Her pubic hair was shaved. Crural creases and vulvar mucosa were marked in order not to be violated. The estimated amount of skin and fat to be removed was marked. Intraoperative tailor-tacking suturing was used to mark the extent of the resection of the labia majora. Sutures were left in place to verify the accurate tension of the remaining skin. The procedure was performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Labial skin resection was performed by sharp dissection. Electrocautery was then used to excise the lobulated fat accumulation. Two layers of 3/0 Vicryl(®) sutures were used in the lax subcutaneous tissue. 4/0 Vicryl(®) rapide was used on the skin to approximate wound edges. Suction drains were left in place for 48 h to reduce the dead space and to manage postoperative bleeding. The patient was instructed to keep ice and compression pads on the area for the first 24 h and to keep the area clean. This was followed by the application of antibiotic ointment two times a day on the wounds to avoid blood crust formation and to keep the skin soft. RESULTS: Stitches were removed on POD 14 after an overall uneventful postoperative course. The sensitivity of the labia majora's interior aspect was preserved, even initially. With the legs slightly open, the labia majora just covered the entrance to the vagina. The clitoris and labia minora became visible again, restoring a normal anatomical appearance. Moderate edema was observed for 4 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSION: The surgical technique used provided an excellent result according to the patient, who regained her self-confidence and started having a normal sexual life again. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Oncologic surveillance of breast cancer patients after lipofilling.

BACKGROUND: The regenerative effects of fat injections are based on the same hormones, growth factors, and stem cells that stimulate neoplastic angiogenesis and cancer progression in basic research. Few studies have analyzed the oncologic risk. No report has covered 5 years of oncologic surveillance, and no long-term risk has been estimated. The in vivo relationship between lipofilling and breast cancer remains unclear and controversial. This observational study focused on locoregional recurrence (LR) risk after lipofilling. METHODS: The study enrolled 60 patients after breast cancer surgery (total mastectomy) from 2000 to 2007 treated by lipofilling (82 single-surgeon procedures with the same fat-decanting technique). The study ended when follow-up observation reached 10 years. RESULTS: The study included invasive carcinoma (55 cases), in situ carcinoma (five cases), T1 (71.6 %) and T2 (23.3 %) carcinoma, N+ carcinoma (45 %), and stages 1 (43.3 %) and 2 (45 %) carcinoma. The overall 12-year incidence of LR was 5 % (1.6 % before and 3.3 % after lipofilling). The incidence of local relapse per 100 person-years was 0.36 in the first observation period and 0.43 after lipofilling. All LRs were stage 2, and the same rate, limited to stage 2, was 1.04. The crude cumulative incidence after lipofilling was 7.25 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 0-15.4 %) for LR and 7.6 % (95 % CI, 0.2-15 %) for distant metastases. DISCUSSION: Clinical data and recurrence incidences were compared with those of prior publications concerning lipofilling oncologic risk and discussed in relation to the inherent cancer literature. CONCLUSIONS: Lipofilling may be used safely to treat tumor node metastasis stage 1 subjects after mastectomy. The local risk is low. For stage 2 patients, local failure was not significantly higher. Compared with institutional data and prior publications, the risk still is reliable. Breast conservative treatment must be investigated further because of the high risk for local relapse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Long-term postoperative vocal function after thyroplasty type I and fat injection laryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the differences in the long-term functional results of medialization thyroplasty type I (MT) and autologous fat injection laryngoplasty (FIL) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. METHODS: Forty-one patients underwent MT, and 73 patients underwent FIL. The voice functions before and after both surgeries were examined by aerodynamic, pitch and intensity, and acoustic analyses. The postoperative voice examinations were performed 12 months (median) after the MT, and 4 years (median) after the FIL. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative parameters were examined with a paired t-test for each group separately. For each variable, a comparison of the effects of surgery was conducted with an analysis of covariance model, with the change between the preoperative and postoperative values as the dependent variable and the preoperative value as the covariate. RESULTS: In both groups, all parameters significantly improved after surgery. In particular, there was a significant difference for the postoperative acoustic analyses. However, the aerodynamic analysis after FIL improved more significantly in comparison to that after MT because of the respiratory handicap. CONCLUSIONS: We found that MT and FIL provided almost the same effectiveness, and that both surgeries were reliable in improving the vocal function in patients with vocal fold paralysis.

[Autologous fat transplantation in the modern reconstructive surgery of breast cancer]. / Autológ zsírátültetés az emlorák modern rekonstrukciós sebészetében.

Autologous fat transplantation is often used in aesthetic plastic surgery, and is recently becoming increasingly popular in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects following oncological surgery. A still not standardized technique of fat transplantation for breast cancer reconstruction is rapidly getting popular. The procedure is not a passive volume replacement, but transplantation of biologically active tissue bearing endocrine, paracrine, exocrine functions and containing fat-derived stem cells, which in the tumorous environment raises many questions in relation to the oncological safety and diagnostic follow-up. Although long-term results based on prospective, randomized studies are not yet available, published clinical experience is promising and reveals an effective and surgically safe procedure if used with appropriate indications and techniques. The authors conducted a broad review of the literature, presenting indications, technique, molecular interactions, and potential risks of the clinical results of autologous fat transplantation in the breast cancer reconstructive surgery. The authors initiated that breast and plastic surgeons should promote adequate long term follow-up of breast cancer patients who underwent breast reconstruction with autologous fat transplantation by the establishment of national registries.

Induced Beige Adipocytes Improved Fat Graft Retention by Promoting Adipogenesis and Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Fat grafting is commonly used in treating soft-tissue defects. However, the basic biology behind fat grafting is still not fully understood. Evidence of adipose browning into beige adipose tissue after fat grafting was revealed, but its role in fat grafting remains unclear. METHODS: Induced beige adipocytes and adipose-derived stem cells were obtained from human lipoaspirates and labeled with green fluorescent protein. Nude mice were each injected with 300 mg of human lipoaspirate containing green fluorescent protein-labeled adipose-derived stem cells, green fluorescent protein-labeled induced beige adipocytes, or phosphate-buffered saline. Grafted fat was harvested after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks for immunohistochemistry and histologic examination. Graft retention, vascularization, and adipogenic gene expression were compared. RESULTS: After 7 days' induction, adipocytes achieved browning with multilocular lipid droplets, increased mitochondria, and up-regulated browning gene expression. Fat graft retention rates at week 12 were significantly higher after injection of induced beige adipocytes than after injection of phosphate-buffered saline (46.0 ± 4.9 percent versus 31.0 ± 3.6 percent; p = 0.01), but were similar after injection of induced beige adipocytes and adipose-derived stem cells (p > 0.05). Induced beige adipocytes underwent rewhitening into white adipocytes and showed up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression. Induced beige adipocytes enhanced angiogenesis, but were not active in forming vessel structures. CONCLUSIONS: Induced beige adipocytes and adipose-derived stem cells were comparable in improving fat graft retention rates. Induced beige adipocytes promote angiogenesis in a paracrine manner and are prone to rewhitening after fat grafting.

Incorporating Fat Grafting with Facelift Surgery: When, How, and Where.

Facial aging is a multifactorial process with many articles over decades supporting various theories of varying causes. It is generally thought that aging occurs as a combination of changes in skin quality, gravitational descent of tissue with interaction of retaining ligaments on the ptotic tissue, and facial volume loss or the appearance of volume loss. The most significant cause of volume loss is skeletal remodeling and bone loss, which manifests as characteristic shadows and hollows on the face in conjunction with soft tissue changes that are yet to be completely elucidated.

Analysis of Abdominal Dermal-Fat Grafting to Repair Parotidectomy Defects: An 18-Year Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcomes of abdominal dermal-fat grafting following superficial and total parotidectomy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of parotidectomy patients was performed. Patients were divided into four groups based on surgical extent and grafting status: superficial parotidectomy (SP), superficial parotidectomy with grafting (SPg), total parotidectomy (TP), and total parotidectomy with grafting (TPg). Complication rates and operative times were then compared between surgically matched groups (SP vs. SPg, TP vs. TPg). Complications included graft necrosis, gustatory sweating, first-bite syndrome, infection, hematoma, sialocele, and seroma. Data was analyzed via chi-square and two-sample t testing, logistic regression, and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 330 patients: 106 SP (32.12%), 61 SPg (18.48%), 82 TP (24.85%), and 81 TPg (24.55%). No donor site complications occurred. TPg resulted in seven graft necroses (8.64%), and 22 reported gustatory sweating (27.20% vs. 10 TP patients (12.2%), P = 0.016); SPg resulted in two necroses (3.28%). There were no other statistically significant differences in complication rates. Graft recipients receiving adjuvant radiation were more likely to develop necrosis (odds ratio [OR] 4.60, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-18.27, P = .0194). Patients who developed gustatory sweating were 8.38 years younger (95% CI 2.66-14.10, P = 0.002, follow-up time > 48 days). Grafting did not increase operative times (TP/TPg: mean = 275.91/263.65 minutes, standard error of the mean = 41.96/33.75, P = 0.822). CONCLUSION: An abdominal dermal-fat graft is an excellent reconstructive choice for a parotidectomy defect and is not associated with increased complication rates or prolonged operative time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:2144-2147, 2020.