Autologous fat processing via the revolve system: Quality and quantity of fat retention evaluated in an animal model

Heather Ansorge, Jaime R. Garza, Michael C. McCormack, Patrick Leamy, Sana Roesch, Aaron Barere, Jerome Connor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Currently, fat graft viability and retention cannot be reliably predicted. The reasons for this variability are not fully understood, although fat processing has been implicated. Objectives: The authors compare the in vitro quantity and in vivo fat retention from lipoaspirate processed by the Revolve system (LifeCell, Bridgewater, New Jersey) compared with centrifugation and decantation. Methods: Ten patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Lipoaspirate from each patient was processed by each of 3 methods: decantation, centrifugation, and the Revolve system. Biochemical characteristics and free oil, adipose, and aqueous phases of the processed fats were determined. Fat grafts were implanted in nude mice; volume retention and quality of the fat grafts were evaluated after 28 days. Viability of retained fat was demonstrated by intact adipocytes and neovascularization on histology. Results: Of the 10 patients, 9 were women and 1 was a man. Mean patient age was 40.7 8.9 years (range, 30-55 years). Fat tissue obtained from all methods had good physiological properties with neutral pH and isotonic salt concentrations. The Revolve system yielded significantly less blood cell debris, a higher percentage of adipose tissue, and a lower percentage of free oil compared with the other 2 methods. Fat tissue retention from Revolve samples was significantly higher (73.2%) than that from decanted samples (37.5%) and similar to that from centrifuged samples (67.7%). Conclusions: The Revolve system produced physiologically compatible, preinjection fat with reduced contaminants and free oil in conjunction with high fat content. In an animal model, volume retention of Revolve-processed fat grafts was significantly greater than decanted samples. The Revolve system presents a fat-processing option that was less time-consuming, easier to use, and more efficient in this study than standard centrifugation or decantation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)438-447
Number of pages10
JournalAesthetic Surgery Journal
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Revolve system
  • adipose tissue
  • animal model
  • autologous fat processing
  • centrifugation
  • decantation
  • fat graft viability
  • fat retention
  • lipoaspiration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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