Facial Fat Injection: Long-term Follow-up Results

Kim, Sang Bum; Kim, Deok Woo; Yoon, Eul Sik

Abstract

For the last 20 years, several different techniques of fat injections have been developed. However, a standard technique of fat grafts has not yet been adopted for all practitioners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and long-term results of fat grafts using the modified Colman's technique. A total of 234 patients who underwent fat injections were retrospectively reviewed. The results were evaluated by patient satisfaction and photographs. The patient satisfaction was assessed using visual analogous scale(VAS), and photographs were evaluated by medical professionals. The fat was harvested using tumescent liposuction with a two hole Coleman harvesting cannula, and centrifuged at 3000rpm for 3 minutes. The refined fatty tissue was then transferred into a 1-ml syringe, and injected subcutaneously using 17-gauge cannula. The amount of fat tissue placed with each withdrawal of a cannula was 0.3~0.5mL. This technique showed good results with long-lasting volume consistency and few complications. The average value of VAS scored by patients was 8.7, and that by surgeons was 8.5, showing statistically no significant difference between the values evaluated by patients and surgeons. Author's fat injection procedure is a good choice for the correction of cosmetic defects and facial rejuvenation.