Correlation Analysis of Injection Cannula's Diameter and Fat Cell Viability in Autologous Fat Grafts

ABSTRACT

Autologous fat graft is a common procedure in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. However, a resorption is the limitation of fat graft, and there have been numerous attempts to find appropriate methods for long-term graft survival. The purpose of this study was to determine an optimum injection cannula that gave the highest numbers of viable fat cells. Fat tissue harvested from the periumbilical area of 5 patients was injected through 17G, 18G and 19G microcannulas. Injected fat tissue was then separated to mature adipocytes and preadipocytes, and cellular viability was quantitatively evaluated by XTT reduction assay. Results showed no significant difference in viability of both mature adipocytes and preadipocytes between groups. Based on these results, we concluded that there is no relationship between the size of injection cannula and the viability of fat cells. To support our conclusion, further in-vivo study is required.