Background
Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has been used in surgical practice as a filling method. However, controversies remain on the specifics of this technique. So far, few relevant experimental large animal studies have objectively assessed factors related to AFG integration.
Objectives
This study uses an experimental medium-sized animal model to compare the feasibility of AFG collected using two different techniques with instruments of distinct thicknesses.
Methods
Twenty minipigs (Sus scropha domesticus) were subjected to AFG harvesting via en bloc resection using 3 (Group I) and 5 mm diameter (Group II) round punch blades (PB) and liposuction (LS) with 3 (Group III) and 5 mm diameter cannulas (Group IV). Both samples were grafted intramuscularly (biceps femoralis). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to identify intact adipocytes, fat necrosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and oil cysts. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) (perilipin-A, TNF-α, CD31) were utilized to quantify the feasibility of adipocytes, tissue necrosis, neoangiogenesis, respectively.
Results
HE analysis showed that fat necrosis/histiocyte presence were significant lower in the AFG harvested using a PB than in LS. For perilipin-A, a statistical difference was observed between subgroups I and III (p=0.001) and I and IV (p=0.004). Instrument diameter was seen to have no effect on graft integration, as seen in comparisons between groups II and III (p=0.059) and II and IV (p=0.132).
Conclusion
In this experimental study, fat collected using a PB demonstrated higher adipocyte viability than fat collected with LS. The diameter of the collection instruments, whether PB or LS, had no effect on graft integration.