Fat grafting technique for facial rejuvenation: Our experience in Erbil

Background and objective: There is no universal agreement on how one should harvest, process, or inject fat. The objectives of this study were to evaluate our integrated fat grafting technique, reporting our long term result in 189 patients who underwent autologous fat graft for facial rejuvenation. Methods: The lower abdomen or thigh was chosen as the donor site for fat graft harvesting under low pressure with 10 cc syringe, processed with low speed centrifugation, and then injected into the face using blunt tip 1 mm cannula in multiple points, using multiple passes, into multiple tissue planes. A total of 189 patients were injected with the above technique for facial rejuvenation. The results were evaluated clinically and photographically and followed for up to five years. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences. Results: Fat absorption leading to volume loss was the commonest minor complication reported in 51 cases (27%). No major complications were reported in this series. About 70% of the patients in this series were highly satisfied after first fat grafting. The main cause of dissatisfaction was the volume loss due to fat absorption which necessitated secondary fat grafting. Conclusion: Our fat grafting technique emphasizes maintaining the viability of transferred fat grafts during their harvest, purification and placement with a good long-term result