[Subcutaneous injection of fatty tissue pearls--experimental study and clinical applications]

In 20 female adult rats, fatty tissue of 0.6 or 1.2 g was taken from each side of the pelvis. One fatty block, after being cut into pearls of about 2 mm in diameter, was injected subcutaneously to the left side of the back while another was transplanted en bloc in the right side. The rats were randomized into four groups and samples of fat were taken at 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, the sample from left side was found to be 21.1% of its original weight while the right side was only 6.9% (P < 0.05). In clinical practice, subcutaneous fat was sucked out from submandibular or abdominal regions, cut into pearls of 2-3 mm in diameter and injected to depressed area, such as glabella or naso-labial grooves. The procedure was applied to 27 sites of 15 cases. Follow-up of 6 months showed satisfactory results in 51.9%, acceptable in 18.5% and no effect in 29.6%.