Strategies for Stromal Cell, Platelet Dosing, and Micronized Fat Grafting After Face Lifting: A Preliminary Retrospective 3D Vectra IRB Study

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Background Although new methodologies and techniques reported prolonged fat graft retention in face lift procedures with use of stromal cells and platelets, no validated protocols have been accepted. Objectives The author carried out a quantitative volumetric and numerical approach to correlate stromal cell and platelet dosing and their ratios on similar volumes of micro-fat in the anterior mid-face. Methods Similar ratioed volumes of bladed micronized fat, dosed stromal cells, and platelets were delivered to 5 fat compartments in the anterior mid-face and in the palpebral-malar groove after lateral SMASectomy face lifts with or without neck lifts in 8 female patients and volumizing only in 1 male patient, who were followed by 3D imaging analysis for 12 months. Results At the final 12-month evaluation period, the average mid-face volume by 3D Vectra® Analysis was 61.6% of the initial micro-fat injected in the face lift patients and 64.5% in the volumized male patient. The observed average volumes reached their nadir of 31.9% (8 face lift patients) and 40.4% (male patient) at 5-7 months. The Investigator Global Assessment Improvement Scale 0-4 ratings at month-12 observed scores of 4 (4 patients), 3.7 (1 patient), 3.3 (3 patients), and 3.0 (1 patient). There were no reported complications or prolonged side effects. Conclusions In this preliminary study, a combination of dosed stromal cell and platelet volumes and bladed micronized fat volumes resulted in 3D Vectra® volumetric changes of progressive improvement from baseline values. Additional protocols with controls are needed to validate these findings.