Authors:
Margarita Kostyaeva, Svetlana Moroz, Elina Lavrenteva, Maxim Khlystalov, Svetlana Ibadullaeva, Yuliya Ivanova
For citation:
Kostyaeva M., Moroz S., Lavrenteva E., Khlystalov M., Ibadullaeva S., Ivanova Y. Morphological changes of the recipient site during autotransplantation of fat in rats after various methods of its mechanical processing. Journal of Clinical Physiology and Pathology (JISCPP) 2024; 3 (2): 30-35.
Abstract:
Introduction. Autologous fat transplantation is a widely used technique in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, employed for correcting atrophic changes and scar deformities.
Materials and methods. The animals were divided into 5 groups, with 6 individuals in each group. Group 1 – intact animals (without exposure); group 2 – control (saline solution); group 3 consisted of animals implanted subdermally, through an incision with a diameter of 1 mm, a fragment of fat previously extracted from a skin incision in the groin area. In group 4, fat crushed with a scalpel was injected under the skin with a syringe, once. In group 5, animals were implanted with fat crushed using a shredder nozzle in a Luer Lock syringe. 4 implantations were performed, with a volume of 0.05 ml. The sections were stained using the Mallory method, hematoxylin and eosin, methylene blue.
Results. Morphometric parameters of the dermis indicate an increase in its thickness, mainly of the mesh layer, as well as, physiologically significant, an increase in the proportion of microcirculatory vessels in the skin of animals of the experimental groups. The number of sebaceous gland profiles in the experimental groups was slightly higher than in the control groups (p<0.05). The thickness of the fat autograft was significantly greater in the third group (p<0.001), where a large fat fragment was implanted, however, in this group, almost all rats had pathological reactions in the form of leukocyte, mainly lymphocytic, infiltrations and necrosis of varying severity. Infiltrations containing lymphocytes and fibroblastlike cells were also observed in animals of the fourth and fifth groups, but were significantly less pronounced than in the third. In animals of the fifth group, relatively large fat fragments surrounded by lymphocytic infiltrates were detected only in the skin of two rats, in other animals, fat fragments of microscopic size were found, which, as a rule, were integrated with the adipose tissue of the transplant site.
Conclusion. The introduction of autologous fat can not only lead to its gradual degradation, but also stimulate the formation of new adipose tissue in the injection area. The components of the fat graft (lipids) are incorporated into the newly formed adipose tissue. This process is more effective the smaller the size of the injected graft particles. A significant factor, largely determining the effectiveness of the process, is the stimulation of angiogenesis, which is evidenced by an increase in the number of microvessel profiles in the section and their greater volumetric proportion in the newly formed connective tissue.
Keywords:
autofat, inflammation, fat graft, fat graft modeling.