[EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF CORE FAT TRANSFER WITH DIFFERENT DIAMETERS].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival rate of core fat tissue with different diameters by advanced fat harvesting instrument.

METHODS: Based on core fat transfer by 1 mL syringe, the fat harvesting instrument was modified with different diameters, including 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm respectively. Between May 2014 and April 2015, the fat harvesting instrument with diameters of 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm was respectively used to harvest abdominal fat in 3 of 12 patients undergoing autologous fat transplantation. The glucose transportation quantities and the fat cell viability were measured. Then 64 nude mice at the age of 3-4 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups (groups A, B, C, and D, n=16). And 0.5 mL fat harvested with diameters of 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm was implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous space. After fat transplantation, the mice survival and the appearance at the recipient site were observed. At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after fat transplantation, the grafted fat was harvested for gross, histological and immunohistochemical observations; the intact adipocytes and capillary were counted.

RESULTS: The glucose transportation quantities gradually increased with increased diameter, showing significant difference among groups (P<0.05). And the fat cell viability had a rising tendency, showing significant differences when comparing groups A and B with group D (P<0.05). With the time passing by, the protuberant appearance became flat at the recipient site, but the appearance of groups C and D was better than groups A and B. Normal shape of the fat and capillary were found in groups C and D. At immediate and 1 week after fat transplantation, there was no significant difference in fat weight among 4 groups (P>0.05); the fat weight of group A was significantly less than that of groups B, C, and D (P<0.05) at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after fat transplantation, and it was significantly less in group B than groups C and D (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups C and D (P>0.05). Histological and immunohistochemical observations showed better integrity of the cells, less necrosis, and higher vascular density in group D than groups A, B, and C as time extension. The adipocyte integrity of group A was significantly worse than that of other 3 groups at other time points (P<0.05) except at 1 week (P>0.05). At each time point, the capillary counting had an increasing trend with increased diameter in all groups, showing significant difference among groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: With diameters within 10 mm, the thicker the core fat is transferred, the better integrlity, higher vessel density, and quicker revascularization time can be predicted. So the postoperative appearance could be maintained longer.