Soft Tissue Facial Contouring Using Autologous Microfat Injection

ABSTRACT

Autologous fat injection had not gained an attention in aesthetic plastic surgery, because of high reabsorption. Recently, fatty tissue was obtained by the low-power technique and centrifuged, results of autologous fat injection was improved. The authors performed autologous microfat injections on 277 patients from March 1997 through December 2002 to correct soft tissue facial contour such as aging, depressed facial contour, thin and long faces as well as postoperative complications and scars. The fatty tissues remaining from the first injection were kept at -20 degrees C up to twelve months, and were used for repeated injections in the overly- absorbed or inadequate areas. Of those 277 patients, 59% received an injection once, 35% received an injection twice, 5% received an injection three times and 1% received an injection up to four times. Follow-ups and postoperative photo confirmations were possible only in 119 out of 277 cases. 81.5% showed satisfied results, and development of complications were insignificant occurring at 6.2%. Owing to advances in tissue engineering and frozen storage method, autologous microfat used for injection will be developed as a better filler, which may substitute soft tissues.