Micro-autologous fat transplantation for rejuvenation of the dorsal surface of the ageing hand

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2017
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): Yun-Nan Lin, Shu-Hung Huang, Tsung-Ying Lin, Chih-Kang Chou, Yu-Hao Huang, Hidenobu Takahashi, Chung-Sheng Lai, Sin-Daw Lin, Tsai-Ming Lin
BackgroundRejuvenation of the dorsal surface of the hand for various conditions, such as cutaneous dyschromia, fine wrinkling, skin laxity, visible extensor tendons, and varicosities appear vital to prevent wrist and digit flexion resulting from hiding of the aged appearance of the hand. Numerous fillers have been applied to re-contour the ageing dorsal surface of the hand; the results were variable. The micro-autologous fat transplantation (MAFT) technique, proposed by Lin et al. in 2006, has demonstrated its feasibility in facial rejuvenation. In this study, we applied the MAFT technique for the rejuvenation of the dorsal portion of the hand.MethodsMAFT was performed in 68 female patients. Fat was harvested by performing liposuction, processed, and refined by centrifugation. Purified fat was micro-transplanted to the dorsal surface of the hand in parcels of small volume.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 56 years (range, 38-70 years). MAFT was completed in 72 min, on average. The average amount of delivered fat was 13.9 and 13.8 mL for the right and left hands, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 32 months (range, 10-64 months). The 5-point Likert scale revealed that 58.8% of patients were very satisfied and 39.7% were satisfied about their outcome.ConclusionsMAFT has changed the concept of fat grafting, from an operation with unpredictable clinical results to an easy and reliable procedure. MAFT demonstrated high patient satisfaction with long-term results and is an effective approach to rejuvenate the dorsal surface of the hand.