Abdominal fat harvest technique and its uses in maxillofacial surgery

Abdominal fat harvest and augmentation to the maxillofacial region is a relatively inexpensive, safe, and readily available procedure. The use of abdominal fat free transfer has been well documented for cosmetic, trauma, and temporomandibular joint reconstruction. Fat is the closest we have to an ideal filler, it is readily available and inexpensive, it is autologous and therefore lacks a host immune response, it is safe and noncarcinogenic, and it is easily acquired with a minimally invasive procedure. Abdominal fat donor site is the most commonly used owing to ease of access and availability of fat stores. Complications are rare and easily managed in the office. Free abdominal fat harvest is a predictable surgical technique that allows the maxillofacial surgeon access to autologous graft material that is ideal for multiple facial procedures. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: 367-371)