Augmentation by Autologous Adipose Tissue in Cleft Lip and Nose. Final Esthetic Touches in Clefts: Part I

Abstract

Although patients with a cleft lip and palate undergo many surgeries and other therapeutic procedures in the course of their treatment, many are still deeply concerned with their handicap and continue searching for perfection in their appearance. Augmentation using the subject's own fat cells involves minor invasion, is readily available, is an unpretentious method regarding time and cost, and has no contraindications. This method can serve to supplement a hypotrophic scarred upper lip and nasal columella, and by improving the volume, it induces a more natural contour, which reduces the stigmatizing deformity as well as the visibility of externally apparent scars. Using this approach, five patients with a complete cleft have been treated. The median follow-up interval is 22 months (through January 2003). The procedure and postoperative course had a pleasing outcome and were without any complications. The disadvantage was the temporary effect of the outcome, which necessitated repeated application every 7 months on average.

Advanced Lipotransfer Techniques

“…-Naso-labial fold, looking sad or tired. -Lip augmentation to correct thin lips achieving greater volume and more youthful appearance- (21,22,23) . -Asymmetries or lack of volume on cheeks and malar or chin area.…”

Orthognathic surgery with or without autologous fat micrograft injection: preliminary report on aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction

“…The autotransplantation of fat micrografts is a wellknown technique in facial aesthetics and reconstructive surgery recontouring. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] However, structural fat micrografting represents a novel application in orthognathic surgery. 4,7,13 The autologous fat micrograft technique is relatively easy to perform, but there is as yet no agreement on the methods that should be used for harvesting, processing, and injecting the fat.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] However, structural fat micrografting represents a novel application in orthognathic surgery. 4,7,13 The autologous fat micrograft technique is relatively easy to perform, but there is as yet no agreement on the methods that should be used for harvesting, processing, and injecting the fat. 9,14,15 Moreover, some disadvantages of the strict usage of Coleman's principles and tools have been revealed recently, such as unpredictable fat resorption, facial contour irregularities, and long-term asymmetries.…”

Aesthetics in Cleft Secondary Treatment

“…The skin texture in women allows for a good fusion of the scars with their surroundings by means of resurfacing after the lip volume has been replenished [9]. The situation in men is more complicated due to the absence of the moustache hair [10].…”

“…Despite the presence of hair follicles in the affected areas, they are incapable of reactivity and growth due to the lack of ev- idence of androgenic receptors in hair follicles and hair papilla [10]. Nevertheless the site easily accepts grafts.…”