Percutaneous adipose tissue biopsy by mini-liposuction for metabolic studies

Large fat-biopsy samples are necessary for extensive simultaneous assays. Subcutaneous adipose tissue is generally obtained either by needle-biopsy aspiration (approximately 1 g) or by open surgical biopsy for larger samples. We propose a reliable technique that permits the removal of large adipose tissue samples percutaneously.

A vertical 5-mm slit was made in the abdominal skin of 15 obese patients, and a liposuction mini-cannula (10 cm x 3 mm) attached to a 20-mL sterile plastic syringe was inserted. A vacuum was created by withdrawing the syringe plunger and fixing it with a specially adapted clamp.

We obtained 3- to 15-g samples of adipose tissue without conspicuous scarring or visible contour changes. A significant correlation between the body mass index and the amount of adipose tissue was observed (r = .50, p < .05). Isolated adipocytes remained highly viable, as evidenced by glucose transport under both basal and maximal insulin-stimulated conditions. The mini-liposuction procedure was fast, and once the mini-cannula was removed from the wound, patients could immediately move about freely.

The new technique described here for fat biopsy using a mini-cannula is less traumatic than open surgical biopsy, and it permits the removal of larger adipose tissue samples than do the usual biopsy techniques. Furthermore, adipose cells are removed intact, and the simplicity of the method facilitates repeat biopsies.