VIABILITY OF FAT OBTAINED BY SYRINGE SUCTION LIPECTOMY - EFFECTS OF FOCAL ANESTHESIA WITH LIDOCAINE

The results of transplantation of free autologous fat obtained by blun t syringe suction lipectomy are unpredictable. We examined if adipose tissue viability is compromised by using syringe suction lipectomy and by infiltration of the tissue with local anesthetics. As reference, w e used adipose tissue samples excised during elective surgery. Fat obt ained intraoperatively and by lipectomy was digested with collagenase to isolate adipocytes. The mechanical damage associated with sample ha ndling and cell isolation in both procedures was similar and did not e xceed 6% of the total cell mass. In addition, cells isolated from intr aoperative and lipectomy samples did not differ functionally, responde d similarly to insulin stimulation of glucose transport and epinephrin e-stimulated lipolysis, and retained the same growth pattern in cultur e. Since during fat transplantation the graft is exposed to local anes thetics at both the donor and the recipient sites, we reexamined adipo cyte function in the presence of lidocaine. Lidocaine potently inhibit ed glucose transport and lipolysis in adipocytes and their growth in c ulture. That effect, however, persisted only as long as lidocaine was present; after washing, the cells were able to fully regain their func tion and growth regardless of whether the exposure was as short as 30 minutes or as long as 10 days. These results indicate that adipose tis sue obtained by syringe lipectomy consists of fully viable and functio nal adipocytes, but local anesthetics may halt their metabolism and gr owth.