title: Increasing the viability of fat grafts by vascular endothelial growth factor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To increase the viability of fat grafts using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a calcium alginate microsphere controlled release system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 was the preconditioning group in which VEGF was applied prior to the fat grafting. In group 2,VEGF was given at the time of the grafting. In group 3, an empty microsphere was added to the grafting material. The fourth group, which received the fat graft only, was the control group. At the 90th day, samples of the fat grafts were weighed and compared with preimplantation weights.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The graft viability ratios of the first 3 groups were significantly higher than those of the control group. The relative adipocyte index was significantly higher in the first and second groups compared with the control group and group 3. Consistent with the literature, VEGF used both in the preconditioning procedure and simultaneously with the grafting procedure increased the graft viability ratio and relative adipocyte index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that VEGF-induced preconditioning of the recipient bed improves fat graft viability via increased revascularization.
authors.affiliation: Alpaslan Topcu Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alpaslan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Topcu
authors.forename: Osman E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Mehtat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ünlü
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barutcu
authors.forename: Atay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atabey
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A