Liporecycling: A technique for facial rejuvenation and body contouring

BACKGROUND. Soft tissue augmentation using autologous fat is a standard met hod in facial rejuvenation and in refinement of body contouring. Different procedures by different authors have been described, each with its specific advantages and disadvantages. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to describe a method of harvestin g, processing, and reinjection of fat that provides new aspects and advanta ges compared to previously described procedures. METHODS. We report about a new method of autologous fat grafting. Fat is ha rvested during machine-assisted liposuction in tumescent local anesthesia w ith microcannulas, processed in a special open manner, and reinjected throu gh a 24-gauge needle for intra- and subdermal augmentation. RESULTS. Short- and long-term results are equivalent to other methods of fa t cell grafting. CONCLUSION. Advantages of the described method include easy harvesting duri ng conventional machine-assisted liposuction, the possibility of removing u ndesired bands of fibrous tissue from the graft, and easy passage through a 24-gauge needle. Thus sub- and intradermal augmentation is possible with t he same material and syringe.