Free autogenous pearl fat grafts in the face--a preliminary report of a rediscovered technique.

Free autogenous fat grafts between 4 and 6 mm (the size of a pearl) have been used successfully to correct pitting acne, nasolabial folds, eyelid depressions, facial atrophy, facial wrinkles, depressed scars, and in chin augmentation. Theoretical measures taken to ensure the maximum amount of survival of donor fat include exogenous vitamin E, treatment with insulin, small size of grafts, and atraumatic antiseptic technique. Numerous supportive clinical, historical, and laboratory references are cited, dating from 1893. Considering the abundance of fat tissue available and the prolific amounts discarded during blepharoplasty, liposuction, lipectomy, and platysma cervical lift, fat should be reconsidered as the soft tissue substitute. This is a preliminary report and further study is needed.