Autologous fat grafts: a quantitative and morphometric study in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to assess the fate of autologous fat tissue grafts harvested and processed by five different methods: blunt suction, sharp suction, dissection, treatment, and lavage. Fat was harvested from the subcutaneous tissue of the interscapular region in 25 rabbits and injected into the subcutaneous area of the convex surface of the ear. Harvesting was by either open surgical excision or suction. Where open surgical excision was used, the fragments were cut into smaller pieces with scissors. Suction in the blunt and sharp suction groups was through cannulas with blunt or sharp edged suction holes, respectively. In both suction groups and the dissection group the harvested tissue was injected without further processing. In the treatment group 2 ml of cell 199 culture medium and Earle's basic salt solution were added, and in the lavage group the tissue was washed with Ringer's lactate. Animals were killed at 7 (n = 9), 180 (n = 8), and 360 (n = 8) days. Serial cross sections were taken from each recipient area and the specimens processed for histology. The images from each section were digitised in a computer and, with the assistance of image analysis software, the volume of remaining fat cells was calculated for each recipient area. The percentage volumes of fat cells found in each group at 360 days were: blunt suction 14% sharp suction 35%, dissection 45%, treatment 27%, and lavage 16% (p = 0.003).