What is fat grafting and how does the procedure work?

What is a fat grafting procedure?

Fat grafting, also called fat transfer or lipofilling, uses autologous adipose tissue, meaning tissue from the same patient. It is used in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, for example to add volume to the face, breast or buttocks or to improve soft-tissue contour. The surgeon decides on indications, technique and expected results for each patient.

Because the tissue is the patient's own, there is no donor matching, but the procedure involves two sites: a donor area where fat is harvested, and a recipient area where it is placed. The terms fat grafting and fat transfer are largely used interchangeably in practice, although some authors distinguish between them.

How does fat grafting work: the three stages

There are three stages. First, harvest: fat is taken from the donor area using liposuction cannulas, usually after the area has been infiltrated with tumescent solution to ease the process. Second, processing: the harvested material is separated from blood, fluid and oil by sedimentation, filtration, washing or centrifugation. Third, injection: purified fat is injected in small aliquots through fine blunt cannulas into the recipient site.

Each technique has its own variants and every surgeon has a preferred workflow. For the equipment view of the same sequence, read about fat grafting systems and how they are compared.

Equipment used at each stage

Infiltration is typically performed with a controllable pump. NOUVAG's Dispenser DP 30 LipoPlus delivers up to 480 ml/min for tumescent infiltration before liposuction and has continuously adjustable flow with VARIO or ON/OFF foot switch operation. Learn more in our note on tumescent infiltration pumps.

For harvest, NOUVAG LipoSurg combines infiltration and vibration-assisted liposuction in one compact device with a low-vibration, ergonomic handpiece and a high flow rate of 70 l/min (air). Collection containers, processing devices and injection cannulas complete the set and vary between clinics.

• Infiltration pump for tumescent solution
• Suction source and harvesting cannulas
• Closed or syringe-based collection
• Processing method chosen by the surgeon
• Fine injection cannulas and syringes

Fat grafting versus fat transfer and liposuction

Fat grafting versus fat transfer is mostly a matter of vocabulary. The difference that matters to equipment planning is between liposuction aimed at removing fat and harvesting aimed at preserving viable tissue. The gentler the harvest settings, such as adjustable vacuum, the more the surgeon can tailor the technique.

A device used for liposuction can often serve for harvest, but check that vacuum is adjustable and that collection sets are suitable. See our liposuction machine buying guide.

What clinics should prepare

Before introducing fat grafting, a clinic should define its case mix, choose the technique with its surgeons, list required devices and plan reprocessing of reusable parts. Staff should be trained on set-up, sterile handling and documentation, and the team should rehearse the workflow.

Beckfinity distributes NOUVAG equipment in the UAE. Contact us to discuss which configuration fits your clinic, or browse the LipoSurg and Dispenser DP 30 pages.