Fat Grafting
Fat grafting is he medical procedure whereby fat is taken via liposuction from an unwanted or unnecessary part of the body and is grafted (i.e. transferred) to another part. In this new part of the body it can be used to fill voids, correct deformities of contour and/ or add volume. Fat grafting is advantageous in that one’s own tissue is used as opposed to foreign material or bodies and there is also the cosmetic effect of removing fat from undesired places. In addition to this, fat grafting is more durable and longer-lasting that foreign body fillers, which only last for a limited amount of time before further injections are required to maintain their purpose.
It is estimated that up to half of …show more content…
Patients are typically required to be free of malignancy for a period of at least 12 months before the procedure is done. In addition to partial reconstruction of the breast and contours, there is the emergence of fat grafting being done for complete breast reconstruction. There is no consensus with regards to the most effective way of conducting this procedure in terms of harvesting and injection volumes, as well as the need for concurrent treatments. Studies are being done to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Post-traumatic fat grafting
Often times, following trauma or surgery, especially neurosurgery and its accompanying muscle wasting, there are voids generated that create deformities in various parts of the body. Common areas where this may occur include the trunk, legs, arms or skull. Tumor removal may also affect contiguity in contour. Thus, fat grafts may be used to correct these defects.
References
• http://westcountyplasticsurgeons.wustl.edu/Surgery/Body-Contouring/Fat-Grafting
• http://www.aafprs.org/media/media_resources/fatGrafting.html
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