Autologous fat grafting: in search of the optimal technique.
OBJECTIVE
Recent advances in adipose cellular biology have repopularized autologous fat grafting as a method widely used in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge on autologous fat grafting emphasizing harvesting techniques and processing methods as well as current trends and approaches.


METHODS
A thorough search of earlier and recent literature until October 2013 was conducted using the terms autologous fat grafting, autologous fat transfer, lipoaspirate, lipoinjection, fat harvest, and lipotransfer in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases, and relevant English- and German-language articles were included.


RESULTS
Findings were categorized in a step-by-step approach of the fat grafting procedure into indications, selection of donor site, techniques for harvesting, processing, and reimplantation of autologous fat.


CONCLUSIONS
Further in-depth knowledge will provide definite answers on fat graft survival; demonstrate safe methods to increase cell viability, grafting outcome predictability; and reliability; enhance safety; and strengthen the scientific and clinical establishment of this increasingly promising method.
University Hospital of Democritus University in Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece University Hospital of the RWTH, Aachen, Germany despoinakakagia@yahoo.com.
Despoina
D
Kakagia
University Hospital of the RWTH, Aachen, Germany.
Norbert
N
Pallua
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000379:methods*
autologous fat grafting; breast surgery; evidence-based medicine/surgery; liposuction; maxillofacial surgery; pediatric surgery; tissue engineering