A novel noninvasive three-dimensional volumetric analysis for fat-graft survival in facial recontouring using the 3L and 3M technique.

Background: Autologous fat grafting for volume augmentation in soft tissue has grown in popularity in the plastic surgery.

Aim: The aim of this study is to provide a new three-dimensional (3D) modeling and analyzing technique for evaluating long-term outcomes of autologous fat graft.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of 22 patients who underwent autologous fat grafting by using our "3L and 3M" technique. The average follow-up period was 12 months. Every patient received 3D scanning before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation. The 3D facial models were analyzed with corresponding analyzing software to quantify the volume discrepancy at different periods. The retention rate of fat was calculated by comparing both postoperative and preoperative images.

Results: In the objective evaluation, the average injected fat volume was 18 ± 12.68 ml, while the average survival fat volume was 11.61 ± 7.58 ml at 3 months, 9.05 ± 5.59 ml at 6 months, and 7.97 ± 4.57 ml at the last follow-up, respectively. Therefore, the amount of fat graft remaining in the recipient sites was 28.94-56.25% (average 44.53 ± 6.32%) at 12 months after operation.

Conclusion: In this study, we have demonstrated the ability to use the novel noninvasive 3D volumetric analysis for the survival of fat graft. We consider that the "3L and 3M" technique is an effective and long-lasting treatment of fat grafting for correcting congenital or acquired defects compared with the outcomes of fat grafting reported by other researchers.