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Achieving optimal clinical outcomes in autologous fat grafting: A systematic review of processing techniques
B J Langridge1, S Jasionowska2, H Khan3
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Charles Wolfson Center for Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Background:
Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is a versatile technique in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Graft processing is a key source of variability resulting in unreliable clinical outcomes, with no consensus on the optimal methodology. This systematic review identifies the evidence base supporting different processing paradigms.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus and The Cochrane Foundation databases. Studies comparing AFG processing methods and reporting long-term patient outcomes were identified.
Results:
Twenty-four studies (2413 patients) were identified. Processing techniques evaluated included centrifugation, decantation, washing, filtration, gauze rolling, as well as commercial devices and adipose-derived stem/stromal cell (ASC) enrichment methods. Objective volumetric and subjective patient-reported outcomes were discussed. There was a variable reporting of complications and volume retention rates. Complications were infrequent; palpable cysts (0-20%), surgical-site infections (0-8%) and fat necrosis (0-58.4%) were the most reported. No significant differences in long-term volume retention between techniques were found in AFG in the breast. In head and neck patients, greater volume retention was documented in ASC enrichment (64.8-95%) and commercial devices (41.2%) compared to centrifugation (31.8-76%).
Conclusions:
Graft processing through washing and filtration, including when incorporated into commercial devices, results in superior long-term outcomes compared to centrifugation and decantation methods. ASC enrichment methods and commercial devices seem to have superior long-term volume retention in facial fat grafting.
