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Assessment of Viability of Human Fat Injection into Nude Mice with Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: January 7, 2015
Effect of Cannula Fenestration Area on Fat Graft Architecture and Histology: A Double-Blind, Split-Body Clinical
Yanko Castro-Govea1, Dulce Maria Sanchez-Dauth1, Cynthia M Gonzalez-Cantu1
1Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico.
Background:
Fat grafting is widely used in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery due to its autologous nature and biocompatibility; however, resorption rates of 40-50% remain a limitation. Adipocyte survival depends on harvesting, processing, and injection techniques. This study aimed to evaluate whether liposuction cannula diameter and fenestration area influence macroscopic and histologic characteristics of harvested adipose tissue.
Materials And Methods:
A double-blind, non-randomized, split-body study was conducted. The abdomen was divided into four quadrants. Four cannula configurations were evaluated according to diameter (3 mm vs 5 mm) and fenestration area (1 mm2 vs 2.5 mm2), resulting in four experimental groups: A) 3 mm/1 mm2, B) 5 mm/1 mm2, C) 3 mm/2.5 mm2, and D) 5 mm/2.5 mm2. Adipose tissue particle area, adipose and oily phase volumes, septal alterations, morphological changes, and cellular debris were evaluated.
Results:
Forty samples were analyzed. Cannula B produced the largest adipose tissue particle area (median 9.54 mm2), although differences among groups were not statistically significant (p = 0.49). Cannula D yielded the highest adipose phase volume (median 12.5 mL), whereas cannula C showed the greatest oily phase (median 2.44 mL), indicating increased lysis. Cannula A demonstrated more severe morphological and septal alterations. A significant association was identified between cannula type and presence of cellular debris (p = 0.03), with group B contributing most prominently.
Conclusion:
Fenestration area influences adipocyte integrity. Smaller fenestrations (1 mm2) caused greater septal disruption and cellular debris, whereas the 5-mm cannula with a 2.5-mm2 fenestration demonstrated the least histologic distortion. The oily fraction was consistently higher with 3-mm cannulas regardless of fenestration size. Larger-caliber cannulas with wider fenestrations appear to minimize adipocyte trauma and lysis.
Level Of Evidence Ii:
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 .
