Fat Grafting into Younger Recipients Improves Volume Retention in an Animal Model

Background: Soft tissue deficits associated with various craniofacial anomalies can be addressed by fat grafting, although outcomes remain unpredictable. Furthermore, consensus does not exist for timing of these procedures. While some advocate approaching soft tissue reconstruction after the underlying skeletal foundation has been corrected, other studies have suggested earlier grafting may exploit a younger recipient niche that is more conducive for fat graft survival. As there is a dearth of research investigating effects of recipient age on fat graft volume retention, this study compared the effectiveness of fat grafting in younger versus older animals through a longitudinal, in vivo analysis. Methods: Human lipoaspirate from three healthy female donors was grafted subcutaneously over the calvarium of immunocompromised mice. Volume retention over 8 weeks was evaluated using micro-computed tomography in three experimental ages – 3-weeks old, 6-months old, and 1-year old. Histology was performed on explanted grafts to evaluate graft health and vascularity. Recipient site vascularity was also evaluated by confocal microscopy. Results: Greatest retention of fat graft volume was noted in the youngest group compared to both older groups (*p

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