Long-term survival of fat transplants: controlled demonstrations

Abstract

To document the amount and rate of re-absorption of fatty tissue transplanted using the author's technique, the author initiated controlled studies in 1987. A selected crease was infiltrated with autologous fatty tissue using a nearby crease as control. At specific time intervals the infiltrated crease was compared to the nearby control crease to evaluate percentage of recurrence. Photographs were taken in the first week, then at least yearly over six years. All views, all positions of the mouth, and all lighting situations demonstrated the continued absence of any crease in the area of infiltration. In contrast, the nearby control crease remained unchanged or deepened from its preoperative condition, giving every indication of a permanent correction. This experiment demonstrates the potential lasting nature of corrections performed with the transplantation of fatty tissue and is supported by over 400 infiltrations into the nasolabial folds in the author's practice.