Evolution of the Coleman Technique.

SUMMARY: Fat grafting is one of the most revolutionary surgical techniques of our century, and it has changed the field of plastic surgery and regenerative medicine. Early reports of fat grafting date back to the late nineteenth century, but the results were unsatisfactory because of minimal graft retention. It was not until Sydney R. Coleman challenged the dogma and introduced a standardized approach to fat grafting after years of research and learning from experts across the world. The Coleman technique represents an evolutionary approach to fat grafting, with three main components: harvesting, refinement, and placement. The Coleman technique has been adopted and modified by surgeons around the world because it has allowed a reliable increase in fat graft survival through a standardized process. This article discusses the influencing factors and milestones that led to this world-known technique, in addition to Dr. Coleman's current practices, pearls, pitfalls, and lessons learned over the years. The knowledge of the true potential and usefulness of fat is in its infancy, with its regenerative potential becoming increasingly recognized. Current and future research will likely prove that autologous fat has many clinical applications beyond its well-known aesthetic and reconstructive benefits and extending beyond the regenerative realm.

Fat Grafting in Radiation-Induced Soft-Tissue Injury: A Narrative Review of the Clinical Evidence and Implications for Future Studies.

SUMMARY: Radiation-induced changes in skin and soft tissue result in significant cosmetic and functional impairment with subsequent decrease in quality of life. Fat grafting has emerged as a therapy for radiation-induced soft-tissue injury, and this narrative review aims to evaluate the current clinical evidence regarding its efficacy. A review was conducted to examine the current clinical evidence of fat grafting as a therapy for radiation-induced injury to the skin and soft tissue and to outline the clinical outcomes that can be used to more consistently quantify chronic radiation-induced injury in future clinical studies. The current clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of fat grafting to treat radiation-induced injury of the skin and soft tissue suggests that fat grafting increases skin softness and pliability, induces volume restoration, improves hair growth in areas of alopecia, reduces pain, and improves cosmetic and functional outcomes. However, literature in this field is far from robust and mired by the retrospective nature of the studies, lack of adequate controls, and inherent limitations of small case series and cohorts. A series of actions have been identified to strengthen future clinical data, including the need for physical examination using a validated scale, appropriate imaging, skin biomechanics and microcirculation testing, and histologic analysis. In conclusion, radiation-induced soft-tissue injury is a significant health burden that can lead to severe functional and aesthetic sequelae. Although still in a preliminary research phase, there is promising clinical evidence demonstrating the benefits of fat grafting to treat chronic changes after radiation therapy. Future clinical studies will require larger cohorts, adequate controls, and consistent use of objective measurements.

Long-Term Survival of Fat Transplants: Controlled Demonstrations.

To document the amount and rate of re-absorption of fatty tissue transplanted using the author's technique, the author initiated controlled studies in 1987. A selected crease was infiltrated with autologous fatty tissue using a nearby crease as control. At specific time intervals the infiltrated crease was compared to the nearby control crease to evaluate percentage of recurrence. Photographs were taken in the first week, then at least yearly over six years. All views, all positions of the mouth, and all lighting situations demonstrated the continued absence of any crease in the area of infiltration. In contrast, the nearby control crease remained unchanged or deepened from its preoperative condition, giving every indication of a permanent correction. This experiment demonstrates the potential lasting nature of corrections performed with the transplantation of fatty tissue and is supported by over 400 infiltrations into the nasolabial folds in the author's practice.

Facial Fat Grafting: The Past, Present, and Future.

Fat grafting has evolved over the past two centuries and has revolutionized regenerative medicine, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Fat grafting provides a safe and minimally invasive technique to improve signs of aging, sun damage, and congenital and acquired craniofacial deformities. The Coleman technique for harvesting, processing, and grafting provides a reliable strategy for consistent results. However, unanswered questions remain regarding the biology of fat grafting, survival mechanisms, and regenerative properties. The future of fat grafting is bright and includes cell-based therapy and extracellular matrix-based scaffolds. This article provides an overview of the past, present, and future of facial fat grafting.

Fat Grafting for Treatment of Secondary Facial Deformity.

Craniofacial deformities represent a great challenge for the patient and the plastic surgeon. Fat grafting has allowed a shift in paradigm for craniofacial reconstruction by providing a less invasive and safer alternative than traditional reconstructive options. Increasing evidence supports its use with optimal results. This article examines the evidence and practical aspects involved in the decision making and technique of fat grafting to treat secondary craniofacial deformities.

The Role of Fat Grafting in Alleviating Neuropathic Pain: A Critical Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain is one of the more severe types of chronic pain and presents a great challenge as response to medical therapy remains often unpredictable. With the opioid epidemic and the search for ways to avoid narcotics, physicians are seeking other modalities to treat neuropathic pain. In recent years, surgeons have explored various surgical avenues to improve outcomes. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of fat grafting for the treatment of neuropathic pain. METHODS: A critical review was conducted to examine the current clinical evidence of fat grafting as a therapy for neuropathic pain caused by neuromas, peripheral neuralgia, migraine and headaches, neuropathic scar pain, and postmastectomy pain syndrome. RESULTS: The precise mechanism role of fat grafting in modulating neuropathic pain remains unclear, but it appears to reduce pain levels through the anti-inflammatory effects of adipose-derived stem cells and mechanical cushioning by fat. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafting is an emerging therapy for chronic neuropathic pain of various etiologies. Although promising results have been reported, sample size and level of evidence of current studies are low. The encouraging results, however, are worthy of further clinical and scientific study. The minimally invasive nature of fat grafting and favorable risk profile make this an attractive therapy for neuropathic pain.

Injectable Allograft Adipose Matrix Supports Adipogenic Tissue Remodeling in the Nude Mouse and Human.

BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue reaches cellular stasis after puberty, leaving adipocytes unable to significantly expand or renew under normal physiologic conditions. This is problematic in progressive lipodystrophies, in instances of scarring, and in soft-tissue damage resulting from lumpectomy and traumatic deformities, because adipose tissue will not self-renew once damaged. This yields significant clinical necessity for an off-the-shelf de novo soft-tissue replacement mechanism. METHODS: A process comprising separate steps of removing lipid and cellular materials from adipose tissue has been developed, creating an ambient temperature-stable allograft adipose matrix. Growth factors and matrix proteins relevant to angiogenesis and adipogenesis were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry, and subcutaneous soft-tissue integration of the allograft adipose matrix was investigated in vivo in both the athymic mouse and the dorsum of the human wrist. RESULTS: Allograft adipose matrix maintained structural components and endogenous growth factors. In vitro, adipose-derived stem cells cultured on allograft adipose matrix underwent adipogenesis in the absence of media-based cues. In vivo, animal modeling showed vasculature formation followed by perilipin A-positive tissue segments. Allograft adipose matrix maintained soft-tissue volume in the dorsal wrist in a 4-month investigation with no severe adverse events, becoming palpably consistent with subcutaneous adipose. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous implantation of allograft adipose matrix laden with retained angiogenic and adipogenic factors served as an inductive scaffold for sustaining adipogenesis. Tissue incorporation assessed histologically from both the subcutaneous injection site of the athymic nude mouse over 6 months and human dorsal wrist presented adipocyte morphology residing within the injected scaffold.

Regulatory Advocacy Update: American Society of Plastic Surgeons Comments in Response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Draft Guidance Documents on Human Cell and Tissue Products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released draft guidance documents on human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products regulations. These proposed guidance documents can impact the practice of plastic surgery in the area of tissue grafting procedures. This article describes the relevant issues in these draft guidance documents, and presents the comments provided to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Fat, Stem Cells, and Platelet-Rich Plasma.

The ideal filler for aesthetic surgery is inexpensive and easy to obtain, natural in appearance and texture, immunologically compatible, and long lasting without risk of infection. By most metrics, autologous fat grafts meet these criteria perfectly. Although facial fat grafting is now a commonly accepted surgical procedure, there has been a wave of activity applying stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies to aesthetic practice. This article addresses technical considerations in the use of autologous fat transfer for facial rejuvenation, and also explores the current evidence for these stem cell and PRP therapies in aesthetic practice.

Fat Grafting for Facial Filling and Regeneration.

Plastic surgeons have come to realize that fat grafting can rejuvenate an aging face by restoring or creating fullness. However, fat grafting does much more than simply add volume. Grafted fat can transform or repair the tissues into which it is placed. Historically, surgeons have hesitated to embrace the rejuvenating potential of fat grafting because of poor graft take, fat necrosis, and inconsistent outcomes. This article describes fat grafting techniques and practices to assist readers in successful harvesting, processing, and placement of fat for optimal graft retention and facial esthetic outcomes.

Primary Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting.

The controversy over fat grafting to the breasts has now been settled. In 2009, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Fat Graft Task Force stated that "Fat grafting may be considered for breast augmentation and correction of defects associated with medical conditions and previous breast surgeries; however, results are dependent on technique and surgeon expertise." This article discusses the history, indications, planning, complications, and present technique of fat grafting to the breast using the Coleman technique.

Complications of Fat Grafting: How They Occur and How to Find, Avoid, and Treat Them.

Recent technical and scientific advances in fat grafting procedures and concepts have improved predictability of fat grafting. Large-volume fat injection is gaining much attention as an attracting procedure for body contouring and reconstruction, but an increasing number of complications also has been recognized over the world. In this article, typical complications after fat grafting are described, as well as an explanation of how and why they occur, and how surgeons can avoid and treat complications.

Future Perspectives of Fat Grafting.

Autologous fat grafting is an exciting part of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Fat serves as a filler and its role in tissue regeneration will likely play a more important role in our specialty. As we learn more about the basic science of fat grafting and the standardized techniques and instruments used for fat grafting, this procedure alone or in conjunction with invasive procedures may be able to replace many operations that we perform currently. Its minimally invasive nature will benefit greatly our cosmetic and reconstructive patients, and may even achieve better clinical outcomes.

The Current State of Fat Grafting: A Review of Harvesting, Processing, and Injection Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Interest in and acceptance of autologous fat grafting for use in contour abnormalities, breast reconstruction, and cosmetic procedures have increased. However, there are many procedural variations that alter the effectiveness of the procedure and may account for the unpredictable resorption rates observed. METHODS: The authors highlighted studies investigating the effects of harvesting procedures, processing techniques, and reinjection methods on the survival of fat grafts. This review focused on the impact different techniques have on outcomes observed in the following: in vitro analyses, in vivo animal experiments, and human studies. RESULTS: This systemic review revealed the current state of the literature. There was no significant difference in the outcomes of grafted fat obtained from different donor sites, different donor-site preparations, harvest technique, fat harvesting cannula size, or centrifugation speed, when tumescent solution was used. Gauze rolling was found to enhance the volume of grafted fat, and no significant difference in retention was observed following centrifugation, filtration, or sedimentation in animal experiments. In contrast, clinical studies in patients found more favorable outcomes with fat processed by centrifugation compared with sedimentation. In addition, higher retention was observed with slower reinjection speed and when introduced into less mobile areas. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a substantial increase in research interest to identify methodologies for optimizing fat graft survival. Despite some differences in harvest and implantation technique in the laboratory, these findings have not translated into a universal protocol for fat grafting. Therefore, additional human studies are necessary to aid in the development of a universal protocol for clinical practice.