Lipocytic Dermal Augmentation. A Histopathologic Study
Dermatologic Surgery
1993 Abstract
Coleman WP 3rd, Lawrence N, Sherman RN, Reed RJ, Pinski KS.
Autologous collagen? Lipocytic dermal augmentation. A histopathologic study.
J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1993 Nov;19(11):1032-40.
Comment in:
Dermatol Surg. 1996 Feb;22(2):192-3.
J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1993 Nov;19(11):1030.
BACKGROUND. Soft tissue augmentation with processed fat has been used clinically
for several years. This material has been termed “autologous collagen” since it
was presumed it was composed primarily of collagen and fibrous tissue from
lipocyte cell walls. OBJECTIVE. To examine the histologic behavior of dermis
implanted with processed fat. METHOD. Volunteers were injected with processed
fat intradermally in the post auricular area and these sites were biopsied at
one week, one month, and three months. RESULTS. Early biopsies revealed no
intact adiopocytes but a significant inflammatory infiltrate. Subsequently
biopsies revealed replacement of the inflammatory reaction with cellular
fibrosis and expansion of the dermis. CONCLUSION. Intradermal injection of
processed fat results in deposition of fibrous material and collagen due to the
response of the recipient site. The material itself contains very little
collagen.
Publication Types:
Case Reports