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Updated: May 4, 2026
Manual Isolation of Adipose-derived Stem Cells from Human Lipoaspirates
Published on: September 26, 2013
Processing technique for lipofilling influences adipose-derived stem cell concentration and cell viability in
Miles Pfaff1, Wei Wu1, Elizabeth Zellner1
1Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, 3rd Floor, Boardman Building, 330 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
Background:
Autologous fat grafting is a highly used technique in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Several fat-processing techniques have been described, with centrifugation frequently touted as the optimal method. Processing is one factor important for maximizing cell viability and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC) concentrations. This study compared two methods of fat preparation (centrifugation vs Telfa-rolling) to determine which technique results in the greatest degree of cell viability and ADSC concentration.
Methods:
Abdominal fat was harvested from five patients. Equal aliquots were divided and processed by both centrifugation and Telfa-rolling. Samples were analyzed for ADSC proportions via flow cytometry and cell viability using methylene blue-based cell counting. Paired t tests were performed on all samples, and a P value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Telfa-rolling processing resulted in a higher percentage of isolated ADSCs (P < 0.5 for 3 of 4 parameters) and a significantly higher number of viable cells (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Telfa-rolling results in a higher proportion of ADSCs and greater cell viability than centrifugation for donor adipose graft preparation. Further studies are necessary to confirm whether optimal preparation translates to improved augmentation and cell take at the recipient site.
Level Of Evidence Iv:
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 .
