Periocular autologous fat transfer

Properly Diluted Fat (PDF): An Easy and Safe Approach to Periocular Fat Grafting

BACKGROUND

The main challenge of periocular fat grafting is the risk of contour irregularities, especially in the lower eyelid. Injection of diluted fat can decrease the likelihood of poor contour.

OBJECTIVES

The authors developed a simple method of periocular fat grafting in which the fat was harvested through unconventional cannulas and diluted before the injection to avoid the risk of contour irregularities.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 200 patients who underwent fat grafting to the periocular region. Lipoaspirate was obtained through a 0.5-mm multiple-hole cannula and then was centrifuged. A solution of 70% fat was prepared (ie, properly diluted fat [PDF]) with saline and infranatant fluid as the diluent. The recipient site was tunnelized with a 1.2-mm cannula, and PDF was transferred utilizing a 1.2-mm cannula containing a single 1-mm hole. Aesthetic improvement was ascertained from pre- and postoperative photographs evaluated by 3 examiners.

RESULTS

A total of 164 (82%) patients received follow-up 6 months postoperatively, and 83 of these patients (41.5%) returned for monitoring 1 year postoperatively. Nearly all patients had improvement in periocular contour, but variable loss of volume was observed by 1 year. Patients who presented initially with scleral show often had noticeable improvement. At 1 year, only 3 patients experienced contour irregularities comprising soft bulges, similar to fat hernias. Two patients showed fat accumulation after substantial weight gain later than 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preparation and periocular delivery of PDF by the described techniques yield good contour with a low risk of visible masses occurrence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Integrating Fat Graft with Blepharoplasty to Rejuvenate the Asian Periorbita

BACKGROUND

Contemporary periorbital rejuvenation is undergoing a paradigm shift to an approach that prioritizes volume preservation and/or augmentation. However, the technical difficulties of using traditional fat grafting techniques in this area and the distinct ethnic features make periorbital rejuvenation in Asians especially challenging. Here, the authors present their approach to enhance the periorbita and outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for 33 consecutive patients who underwent microautologous fat transplantation (MAFT) to the periorbita using the MAFT gun device combined with excisional blepharoplasty. Additionally, preoperative and postoperative photographs were analyzed by external evaluators to grade the aesthetic outcomes and fat resorption rates.

RESULTS

Three months after surgery, patients looked on average 5.4 ± 3.4 years younger, and the aesthetic result was graded 7.4 ± 2 in a one-to-ten scale. The fat resorption rate was 19.6% ± 3.5% at 3 months and 32.2% ± 3.9% after 12 months (range: 12-24 months; P = 0.007). The overall morbidity rate was 12% (4 patients), including 1 visible lump (3%), an overcorrection case (3%) in the lower eyelid, and 2 palpable lumps in the upper eyelid (6%) which were not visible. One case of lower eyelid hollowness required secondary fat grafting.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional blepharoplasty procedures can be combined with fat grafting techniques to address volume loss and tissue descend while keeping ethnic identity. A fat injection device like the MAFT gun is safe and effective and provides long-term predictable outcomes for fat grafting around the periorbital thin skin.

Complications Associated with Fat Grafting to the Lower Eyelid

Fat grafting is effectively used in the lower eyelid and periorbital area for rejuvenation of the aging face. Several complications may occur with fat grafting, including volume undercorrection or overcorrection, contour irregularities, prolonged bruising and swelling, infection, granulomas and inflammation, and vascular embolization with visual loss or stroke. In many cases, complications can be effectively treated, although permanent and serious injury can occur. Appropriate surgical techniques help to prevent most of these complications. An understanding of how and why complications of fat grafting of the lower eyelid occur aids in the avoidance and treatment of these complications.

Autologous Fat Grafting: The Science Behind the Surgery

An invaluable part of the plastic surgeon's technical arsenal for soft tissue contouring, fat grafting continues to be plagued by unpredictable outcomes, resulting in either reoperation and/or patient dissatisfaction. Thus, extensive research has been conducted into the effects of adipose tissue procurement, processing, and placement on fat graft quality at both the cellular level and in terms of overall volume retention. Herein, we present an overview of the vast body of literature in these areas, with additional discussion of cell-assisted lipotransfer as a therapy to improve volume retention, and on the controversial use of autologous fat in the setting of prior irradiation.