Assessing the long-term viability of facial fat grafts: an objective measure using computed tomography

Autologous fat transplantation for soft tissue augmentation is a commonly used technique without a universally accepted approach. The literature includes a variety of reports describing varying degrees of success or failure.

To evaluate the behavior of facial fat grafts in humans with the use of an objective measuring tool.

A prospective randomized study, comparing patients pre- and postoperatively, was designed to evaluate the long-term viability of fat grafting. Participants were 18 men and 8 women between 34 and 59 years of age (mean, 45.07 yrs; standard deviation, 6.54 yrs). A total of 52 hemifaces in 26 patients diagnosed with HIV and demonstrating facial lipoatrophy were treated with fat transplantation using Coleman's technique. HIV-positive patients were chosen as study participants because their nearly total lack of subcutaneous fat diminishes the bias in the evaluation of fat volume. Fat graft viability was evaluated by measuring the volume of adipose tissue evolution via computed tomography scan before fat grafting, at the second month after fat grafting, and 1 year after fat grafting. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.

The mean volume on the right and left cheeks before fat grafting was 1.57 cc. The mean volume 2 months after the procedure was 2.93 cc with a statistically significant mean increase of 1.36 cc (P < .001) between baseline and the second month after the procedure. The mean volume after 12 months was 3.29 cc (P < .001), with a mean increase compared with the baseline of 1.72 cc, and of 0.36 cc between months 2 and 12. The statistically significant posttreatment improvement (P < .001) was maintained until month 12 of the follow-up period.

Using objective measurement, this study demonstrates that with one fat grafting procedure a durable result can be achieved, persisting for a minimum of 12 months without any trend towards reabsorption.