ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Transplanted adipose tissue has many applications in regenerative medicine. However, fat grafting yields unpredictable results because the fat that is transferred can suffer variable degrees of fat reabsorption. It is necessary to identify methods and maneuvers to minimize reabsorption rates and provide predictable long-term results. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to identify the optimal method of harvesting, as well as the optimal pressure regime for fat aspiration. The primary objective was to assess the degree of adipocyte and mesenchymal stem cell death that occurred with the various devices and pressure levels used to harvest fat. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized, comparative study in 15 healthy male and female subjects aged 25 to 60 who were undergoing abdominal cosmetic surgery. Various apparatuses and pressure regimens were used to harvest 8 samples of fat tissue. These samples (R1 = R8) underwent histological analysis in order to verify the integrity and functionality of the adipocytes and mesenchymal stem cells that had been harvested. RESULTS: A total of 14 females and 1 male underwent abdominal cosmetic surgery. Quantitative analysis revealed that the adipocytes in all 8 samples had homogeneous quantitative profiles. The adipose mesenchymal stem cell (AMSC) analysis, according to Friedman ANOVA, revealed no significant variation in the percentage of mesenchymal stem cells (P = .045) between the various samples. CONCLUSIONS: The type of device, nozzle diameter tip, and pressure regimen used in this study for harvesting fat tissue did not significantly affect the number of the adipocytes or viable AMSC harvested. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Therapeutic.
