Download PDF
Facial Plast Surg 2015; 31(01): 022-028
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1544249
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Fat Transfer Techniques: General Concepts

Edward D. Buckingham
1   Director, Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, Austin, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 March 2015 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Facial volume loss has become widely accepted as one of the contributing factors in global facial aging. Some have even suggested that bony, muscular, fatty, and dermal/epidermal changes are more integral in the aging process than gravitational influence. Although detractors of autologous fat transfer persist, facial autologous fat transfer has become widely utilized as one option for volume restoration. Various techniques in harvesting, processing, and injecting autologous fat have been debated at length without clear guidelines emerging to maximize outcomes. This article aims to present one surgeon's experience in successful fat grafting philosophy and technique. Areas covered will include preparation, harvesting, processing, and injection techniques. The injection techniques are organized by facial region and into the general philosophy and thinking regarding the facial region as well as the specific technique that has been utilized over 7 years and hundreds of successful procedures.

Keywords

facial volume loss - facial aging - volume replacement - autologous fat transfer
 

  • References

  • 1 Lambros V. Observations on periorbital and midface aging. Plast Reconstr Surg 2007; 120 (5) 1367-1376 , discussion 1377
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Lambros V. Models of facial aging and implications for treatment. Clin Plast Surg 2008; 35 (3) 319-327 , discussion 317
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Obagi S. Specific techniques for fat transfer. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am 2008; 16 (4) 401-407 , v
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Lam SM, Glasgold MJ, Glasgold RA. Complementary fat grafting. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2007
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Coleman SR. Structural fat grafting: more than a permanent filler. Plast Reconstr Surg 2006; 118 (3, Suppl): 108S-120S
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Coleman SR. Structural fat grafting. St Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishing, Inc; 2004
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Glasgold RA, Glasgold MJ, Lam SM. Complications following fat transfer. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2009; 21 (1) 53-58 , vi
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Gir P, Brown SA, Oni G, Kashefi N, Mojallal A, Rohrich RJ. Fat grafting: evidence-based review on autologous fat harvesting, processing, reinjection, and storage. Plast Reconstr Surg 2012; 130 (1) 249-258
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Pessa JE. An algorithm of facial aging: verification of Lambros's theory by three-dimensional stereolithography, with reference to the pathogenesis of midfacial aging, scleral show, and the lateral suborbital trough deformity. Plast Reconstr Surg 2000; 106 (2) 479-488, discussion 489–490
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Rohrich RJ, Pessa JE, Ristow B. The youthful cheek and the deep medial fat compartment. Plast Reconstr Surg 2008; 121 (6) 2107-2112
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Shaw Jr RB, Kahn DM. Aging of the midface bony elements: a three-dimensional computed tomographic study. Plast Reconstr Surg 2007; 119 (2) 675-681 , discussion 682–683
    Google Scholar
  • 12 Gerth DJ, King B, Rabach L, Glasgold RA, Glasgold MJ. Long-term volumetric retention of autologous fat grafting processed with closed-membrane filtration. Aesthet Surg J 2014; 34 (7) 985-994
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar