Introduction to the “Forum on Fat Grafting” Supplement Free

This special topic supplement of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal serves as a forum on autologous fat grafting. Each manuscript addresses an area of clinical interest in fat transfer with an overview of the literature and best practices as well as potential areas of controversy.

The supplement begins with an overview of techniques. From donor site to cannula size, there are several steps in the grafting process that may have an effect on outcomes in terms of graft resorption or cyst formation. Nemir et al offer a comprehensive review of the science behind various practices in fat grafting.¹

Part of the challenge in determining best practices and optimal outcomes in fat grafting is our lack of standard outcome measures. Tenenbaum et al discuss assessing clinical outcomes in autologous fat grafting.² With high satisfaction and low complication rates, the clinical indications for grafting continue to expand. However, regardless of technique, volume retention remains variable. Sampathkumar et al review the current tools used for quantitative measurements to evaluate our objective outcomes.³

As we seek to develop best practices in autologous fat grafting, there are a few topics that remain controversial and were given special attention in this supplement. Cohen et al expand on the various graft products for facial rejuvenation, including millifat, microfat, and nanofat.⁴ Large-volume grafting to the breast and buttock have received particular attention from plastic surgeons, our associated specialty organizations, and the general public. As our knowledge of graft physiology and outcomes expand, patient safety will always be of the utmost importance. Nahabedian⁵ highlights the use of grafting in breast augmentation and reconstruction, whereas Winocour et al⁶ summarize safety concerns in buttock grafting. In addition, fat transfer has become a useful—and safe—adjunct in oncologic reconstruction as summarized by Seitz et al.⁷

The supplement concludes with a summary of the future of fat grafting. Adipose tissue transfer is at the intersection of plastic surgery, tissue engineering, and immunotherapy. The next frontier in fat grafting will continue to build on the clinical regenerative properties of fat with further regulatory oversight. I hope the readers find this special collection of articles to be an interesting and valuable resource. I would like to thank all of the expert contributing authors, as well as the editors and editorial staff of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal who have supported this collaborative project.

Disclosures

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Funding

This supplement is sponsored by Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie Company (Irvine, CA, USA) and Suneva Medical, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA).

References