title: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography evaluation after autologous fat grafting in scar revision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fat transfer is commonly used to fill loss of volume in depressed scars caused by trauma, deep burns or surgery. The aim of the study is to investigate the degree of fat graft take through evaluation of the microcirculation of grafted autologous adipose tissue using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2010 to 2012 at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Traumatological Center in Turin, a study population was selected from patients with surgical indications for autologous fat transfer for scar correction. For each surgical procedure patients underwent a clinical and sonographic evaluation before and after intervention (at 1 month and 3 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of a total of 28 interventions, 24 showed a good result; defined as improvement of the scar, and confirmed by the presence of vascularization in the transplanted tissue. In 4 cases, there was a lack of blood supply at the first evaluation but an initial good clinical scar correction. The absence of blood vessels was confirmed at 3 months accompanied by complete resorption of the transferred fat with a failure of good clinical outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was able to evaluate the microvasculature of adipose tissue after fat transfer. Due to this characteristic, it allows to monitor and predict the take of adipose tissue and provide realistic and early information on the clinical outcome of fat transfer.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Bollero
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Pozza
authors: E N
authors: EN
authors: Gangemi
authors: A
authors: A
authors: De Marchi
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Ganem
authors: El Khatib
authors: el K
authors: A M
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Faletti
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Stella
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
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