Growth of fat grafts after operation for partial bone growth arrest: demonstration by computed tomography scanning

Three patients who had fat grafts implanted at operation for partial bone growth arrest had computed tomography scanning of the operated bone 3-10 years after operation so that the fate of the grafts could be clarified. Two patients had a bridge in the tibia and one in the femur. The density in Hounsfield Units in the enlarged cavities showed that the fat grafts had grown in parallel with regained bone growth. In two adult patients, the grafts, enlarged during the period of growth, remained as adipose tissue for years. A thick layer of compact bone formed around the cavities. Partial regeneration of the growth plates occurred.