High-Density Fat Grafting Assisted Stromal Vascular Fraction Gel in Facial Deformities

Autologous fat grafting is commonly used for soft tissue augmentation and reconstruction, this technique is limited by a high rate of graft absorption. The stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) grafting for facial volume augmentation can exert a positive effect on skin rejuvenation, but its major limitation is the low rate of conversion of Coleman fat. The purpose of our study was to investigate a novel surgery using performing high-density fat in combination with SVF-gel in the treatment of hemifacial atrophy, or Romberg diseases. From October 2017 to October 2019, 13 patients with hemifacial atrophy underwent high-density fat transfer with SVF-gel injection. The outcome was determined by the difference in presurgery and postsurgery FACE-Q modules (FACE-Q conceptual framework: 1, Satisfaction with Facial Appearance; 2, Health-Related Quality of Life; 3, Negative Sequelae; 4, Satisfaction with Process of Care), which were designed as patient-reported outcome instrument to evaluate the unique outcomes of patients undergoing facial cosmetic procedures. The excellent cosmetic results were observed during follow-up periods, with no adverse events was seen in the treatment group. All patients showed improvements in facial augmentation and contour. In patients with facial volume loss, high-density fat transfer with SVF-gel facial injection resulted in significantly higher improvement scores and better patient satisfaction. The patient-reported FACE-Q modules presurgery and postsurgery results showed statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05). This high-density fat in combination with SVF-gel is an effective method of correcting the facial volume loss that leave no complications during follow-up, having a satisfactory volumization effect. This could largely facilitate the clinical utilization of fat.