Standardized Anatomic and Regenerative Facial Fat Grafting: Objective Photometric Evaluation From 1-19 Months After Injectable Tissue Replacement and Regeneration (ITR2).

BACKGROUND A standardized technique for facial fat grafting, Injectable Tissue Replacement and Regeneration (ITR 2), was developed to address both anatomic volume losses in superficial and deep fat compartments as well as skin aging, incorporating newer regenerative approaches. OBJECTIVES The authors sought to track the short and long terms effects of a new standardized technique for facial fat grafting in the midfacial zone across a 19-month time period. METHODS Twenty-nine female were analyzed for mid-facial volume changes after autologous fat transfer with ITR 2. Across 19 months, volumes were evaluated using the Vectra XT 3D Imaging System to calculate differences between a predefined, 3-dimensional mid-facial zone measured preoperatively and serially after fat grafting with novel approach using varying fat parcel sizes. RESULTS Patient data was analyzed collectively as well as separately by age ( 55 years). Collective analysis revealed a trend of initial volume loss within the first 1-7 months followed by an increase within the 8-19-month range, averaging 56.6% postoperative gain and ending at an average of 52.3% gain in volume by 14-19 months. A similar trend was observed for patients <55 years of age, but to a greater extent, with a 54.1% average postoperative gain and final average of 75.2%. Conversely, patients above 55 years of age revealed a linear decay beginning at 60.6% and steadily declining to 29.5%. Multiple regression analysis revealed no statistically significant influence of weight change during the study duration. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary evidence shows a dynamic change in facial volume, with an initial decrease in facial volume followed by a rebound effect that demonstrated improvement of facial volume regardless of patient weight change or amount of fat injected 19 months after treatment. Volume improvement occurred to a greater extent in patients under 55 years old, whereas in patients older than 55 volume gradually decreased. To our knowledge, this study represents the first time that progressive improvement in facial volume has been shown 19 months after treatment with a new standardized technique of fat grafting.