The role of frozen storage in preserving adipose tissue obtained by suction-assisted lipectomy for repeated fat injection procedures

BACKGROUND The injection of autologous free fat obtained by suction-assiste d lipectomy for the correction of soft tissue defects is a common procedure in plastic surgery. However, unpredictable partial absorption of the injec ted fat often necessitates repeated procedures. OBJECTIVE To examine the role of frozen storage as a means of preserving th e fat obtained by suction-assisted lipectomy for repeated procedures. METHODS Human adipose tissue obtained by suction-assisted lipectomy was sto red in a domestic refrigerator at -18 degreesC for 2 weeks. After thawing, the fat was injected into nude mice. In the control group, the fat was inje cted immediately after the harvesting procedure. Grafts were dissected out and compared 15 weeks postinjection. RESULTS Injected fat survived in both study and control groups. No signific ant differences were found between fat graft weight and volume, or in any o f the histologic parameters examined. CONCLUSION Fat obtained by suction-assisted lipectomy may be preserved for future use by freezing.