3-D analysis differentiates fat grafting techniques

(HealthDay)—Autologous fat processed by means of a cotton pad filtration technique is an effective method of facial fat grafting, according to a study published online Jan. 11 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Rongwei Wu, M.D., from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, and colleagues randomized patients with facial asymmetry undergoing initial facial fat grafting to one of three fat-processing techniques: sedimentation, centrifugation, or cotton pad filtration. Patients underwent three-dimensional scanning preoperatively, as well as at one, three, six, and 12 months postoperatively.

Based on the 30 patients completing follow-up, the researchers found that the mean percentage volume maintenance of the three groups postoperatively ranged from 49 percent at one month to 41 percent at 12 months for the cotton pad filtration group; from 41 to 34 percent for the centrifugation group; and 37 to 31 percent for the sedimentation group. The cotton pad filtration group demonstrated a statistically significant higher percentage volume maintenance versus the centrifugation and sedimentation groups, in variance analysis.

"The use of three-dimensional technology provides an objective and accurate way to evaluate different fat-processing techniques," the authors write. "Autologous fat processed by cotton pad filtration had a significant higher volume retention than did that processed by centrifugation and sedimentation technique."