Beyond the cells: scaffold matrix character affects the in vivo performance of purified adipocyte fat grafts.

Background: Little attention has been focused on the effect of fat graft structure on in vivo performance. Having hypothesized that a stable initial graft structure was important to fat graft take-similar to the importance of shear minimization in the take of skin grafts-we have previously shown that purified adipocytes suspended in a resorbable protein matrix (GFR Matrigel; BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA) improved in vivo graft longevity.

Objective: In the present study, the importance of the matrix composition was assessed.

Purified viable fat suspended in matrigel improves volume longevity.

Background: Autologous fat is an excellent soft tissue filler with cosmetic and reconstructive utility. However, graft longevity is unpredictable.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the effect on in vivo fat graft performance of contemporary adipocyte tissue engineering techniques that have not previously been applied to mature fat cells due to the difficulty of their purification and their high metabolic demand.

An experimental model for improving fat graft viability and purity.

Background: Autologous fat is an excellent soft-tissue filler, given its abundance, ease of harvest, and natural appearance. However, graft longevity is unpredictable and is reported in the literature to be between 3 months and 8 years.

Methods: A genetically identical, age- and sex-matched mouse experiment was used to develop a model.

Breast reconstruction.

With over 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer treated each year, various types of breast reconstruction have become popular and safe. Immediate breast reconstruction seems to confer both benefit and patient satisfaction. A variety of techniques including subcutaneous expanders/implants, flap transfers, and free tissue transfers are described.