Mechanical micronization of lipoaspirates: squeeze and emulsification techniques.

Introduction: Condensation of grafted fat has been considered a key for achieving better outcomes after fat grafting. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potentials of two mechanical tissue micronizing procedures: squeeze and emulsification. Materials and Methods: Human aspirated fat was centrifuged (centrifuged fat: CF) and fragmented with an automated slicer (squeezed fat: SF). Alternatively, CF was emulsified by repeated transfer between two syringes through a small-hole connecter, then separated by mesh filtration into two portions: residual tissue of emulsified fat (REF) and filtrated fluid of emulsified fat (FEF). The four products were examined for cellular components. Results: Histological and electron microscopic analyses revealed that SF and REF contained broken adipocytes and fragmented capillaries. Compared to CF, the SF and REF products exhibited increased specific gravity and increased numbers of adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) per volume, suggesting successful cell/tissue condensation in both SF and REF. Although cell number and viability in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) were well maintained in both SF and REF, SVF culture assay showed that ASCs were relatively damaged in REF but not in SF. By contrast, no ASCs were cultured from FEF. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that mechanical micronization is easily conducted as a minimal manipulation procedure, which can condense the tissue by selectively removing adipocytes without damaging key components, such as ASCs and ECs. Depending on the extent of adipocyte removal, the product may be a useful therapeutic tool for efficient tissue volumization or therapeutic revitalization/fertilization. (C)2016American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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