title: Acute adipocyte viability after third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although clinical evidence of successful autologous fat transfer (AFT) using third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) is readily available, no study has quantified adipocyte viability using standardized methods.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors assess acute adipocyte viability following fat aspiration as a first step in determining the overall efficacy of using third-generation UAL for AFT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lipoaspirate samples were collected from patients who underwent elective liposuction procedures at multiple surgery centers. Patients with a history of bleeding disorders, diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus, or lipoatrophy disorders were excluded. The UAL system (VASER; Sound Surgical Technologies, Inc, Louisville, Colorado) was set at 60% amplitude in pulsed mode with vacuum aspiration of 15 in Hg or less. Laboratory analysis included free lipid volume, viability via lipolysis and propidium iodide staining, and cytological analysis, including cell surface protein examination and hematoxylin and eosin staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lipolysis assay revealed metabolically active adipocytes with a mean (SD) correlative viability of 85.1% (11%). Direct measures of acute viability via propidium iodide staining resulted in a mean (SD) viability measure of 88.7% (3.5%). Both mean values are within the historical range reported from syringe and vacuum-assisted lipoaspiration. Aqueous and lipid contents were favorably reduced after washing and filtering (Puregraft system; Cytori Therapeutics, Inc, San Diego, California). Cellular phenotypes identified were primarily white blood cells or vascular endothelial and vascular associated cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adipose tissue acquired via third-generation UAL is viable at harvest and is potentially a suitable source for autologous fat grafts. These results confirm reported clinical successes utilizing third-generation ultrasound lipoaspirate for AFT.
authors.affiliation: Sound Surgical Technologies, LLC, Louisville, CO, USA. marks@sonictech.com
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Schafer
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hicok
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Steve R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012494:Sampling Studies; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AFT; UAL; adipocyte viability; autologous fat transfer; body contouring; lipoaspirate; liposuction; third-generation ultrasound