Quantitative and qualitative dermal change with microfat grafting of facial scars.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in dermal characteristics with subdermal fat grafting of cutaneous scars.


METHODS
Prospective cohort.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with various scar types were treated with subdermal fat grafting over 30 months. Dermal elasticity, vascularity, pigmentation, patient perception and satisfaction, and observer assessment of scar characteristics were evaluated preoperatively and 1 year after treatment with validated objective and subjective measures.


RESULTS
Significant improvements were observed in dermal elasticity, patient and observer perception of scar thickness, patient perception of stiffness, and observer perception of relief and pliability (P < 0.05). A trend toward significance was seen in observer assessment of height as evaluated by the Vancouver Scar Scale (P < 0.1). No significant differences were seen in quantitatively and qualitatively measured vascularity and pigmentation (P > 0.1). No significant difference in pain, pruritus, and irregularity were reported (P > 0.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Although fat grafting represents a subdermal process, it appears to improve certain quantitative and qualitative dermal characteristics. Fat grafting does not appear to affect skin color, vascularity, or patient symptoms.
Department of Otolaryngology, St Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
Maya G
MG
Sardesai
Corey C
CC
Moore
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004548:Elasticity; D004954:Esthetics; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology