Purpose: Fat grafting is a unpredictable procedure which continues to challenge the field of plastic surgery due to the problem of unpredictable resorption. Applications are broad in both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. Fat grafts are carefully obtained and manipulated in order to obtain better graft take and ultimate result yet there is no universal agreement on what constitutes an ideal methodology.

Methods and Materials: The present study examined adipocyte viability from four common donor sites in five subjects. We utilized an in vitro quantitative viability assay to measure survival of fat. Four body areas were liposuctioned (flank, abdomen, knee, thigh) and compared both in centrifuged and noncentrifuged groups.

Results: No statistical differences of adipocyte viability were demonstrated between donor sites that were immediatiely removed and not centrifuged (p <0.225). In addition, no differences were observed in representative tissue samples that were removed and centrifuged (thigh p=0.508, knee p=0.302, flank p=0.088, abdomen p=0.533.)

Conclusion: Based on these quantitative data, neither harvest location nor centrifugation demonstrated any advantage in terms of lipocyte viability. For fat tissue transfers, fat from these common sites may be considered to be equal and no treatment appears to enhance immediate fat tissue viability prior to implanting.