Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons/Société Canadienne des Chirurgiens Plasticiens : Abstracts presented at the 64th Annual Meeting / 64e Réunion annuelle June 15–19, 2010, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Atrophy plays an extremely important role in facial aging. The current model of aging is based upon loss of volume in the face as the primary physical sign of aging followed or accompanied by sagging or descent of soft tissues. Restoration of fullness to the atrophic, aging upper and mid-face is essential for successful rejuvenation. Adding fullness to the face is a natural, logical approach to rejuvenation. In the early 1990’s, I first noted that transplanted fat did more than just create fullness. The implanted fat improved the quality of the tissues into which it was grafted. This initial improvement is then usually followed by a continued, gradual long-term improvement in the quality of the skin. Wrinkles soften, pore size decreases and pigmentation improves in patients followed over ten years. In addition, fat grafted under depressed scars not only relieves the depression, but also softens or even completely eliminates the specific scar tissue, making it look like normal skin. More recently we have noted the effect of fat grafts on therapeutic radiation injuries. But grafted fat does more than simply restore fullness. Changes occur in skin overlying the grafted sites over time (for instance, immediately after implantation, in the first months, at one year, three years, five years, eight years etc). The volume of the fat appears to stabilize four months after the procedure,

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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