Evaluation of Use of Adipose Cells in Various Procedures of Plastic Surgery and its Volumetric Quantification using High Resolution Ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous fat transfer is based on one of the principles of plastic surgery, replace like with like. It is used in wide variety of aesthetic procedures such as lip, facial augmentation and reconstructive procedures such as involutional disorders, post traumatic defects etc.

AIM: This prospective study was on the use of adipose cells in various procedures of plastic surgery, the role of high resolution ultrasound in estimating the volume of the grafted fat, comparison of the results based on the different donor sites of the harvested fat and comparison of the effectiveness of grafted fat in extremities and craniofacial region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study a total of 34 patients underwent fat grafting procedure at various sites of the body from May 2012 till November 2013. After noting the details of the patient, details of the defect, laboratory and radiological investigations, the consent for the fat grafting procedure was taken. Clinical photographs and High Resolution Ultrasound (HRUS) volume estimation was done on a regular basis as per the protocol.

RESULTS: Out of 34 patients, 29 patients underwent free fat grafting and five patients underwent derma fat grafting. HRUS at six months revealed a mean 73.5% and 63.5% of the injected fat remained in contour deformity in extremities and craniofacial region respectively. HRUS at one year revealed a mean 57.4% and 41.4% of the injected fat remained in contour deformity in extremities and craniofacial region respectively.

CONCLUSION: HRUS is an excellent handy modality for serial volume estimation, cost-effective, non-invasive, multi planar modality, does not require any preparation, and easily done outdoor procedure. Follow up is a practical proposition. Autologous fat grafting is a safe procedure with no significant complications other than fat reabsorption and it can be done under local anaesthesia in contour deformity of smaller areas. Disadvantage of autologous fat grafting is the fat reabsorption needing multiple sittings.