Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
A Guide to Examining Intramuscular Fat Formation and its Cellular Origin in Skeletal Muscle
Published on: May 26, 2022
Histologic comparison of autologous fat processing methods
John G Rose1, Mark J Lucarelli, Bradley N Lemke
1Oculoplastics Service, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Purpose:
To perform a quantitative analysis of adipocyte viability after fat processing during autologous fat transfer, comparing the processing methods of washing, centrifuging, and sedimentation.
Methods:
An experimental study was conducted in which 24 fat samples were obtained after processing from 22 patients undergoing autologous fat transfer. Histologic analysis of periodic acid-Schiff-stained specimens was then performed.
Results:
Cell counts per high-powered field of intact adipocytes and nucleated adipocytes and adipocyte cross-sectional area were significantly greater in samples processed by sedimentation, compared with those by centrifuging or washing.
Conclusions:
Of the various processing techniques currently used during autologous fat transfer, sedimentation appears to yield a higher proportion of viable adipocytes than does washing or centrifuging.
