Study Finds Fat Grafting Effective for Nose Reshaping

According to the study presented at the annual conference of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Plastic Surgery The Meeting held last October 2012 in New Orleans, fat grafting can be used to aesthetically improve the appearance of the nose.

The lead author of the study, another ASPS Member Surgeon, stated that, “In this study, we utilized fat grafting solely or in combination for primary nose reshaping. We found that even when used with traditional nose reshaping techniques, fat grafting allows for minimized dissection and improved skin quality.”

Out of the 59 patients who participated in the study, 12 received fat grafts while the remaining 47 had a combination of fat grafting and traditional nose reshaping. Improvements were observed on patients who received fat grafting only while 35 of the 47 who underwent the combined treatment had significant changes in the shape of their noses.

The grafting procedures were done several times in strategic places at different times to reshape the nose. Anatomical areas such as the tip of the nose, the bridge and base, even the forehead, were some of the places where fat grafting was done. It has been observed that fat grafting is more effective if the problem concerns specific areas of the nose.

“Fat grafting alone may not be appropriate or the correct course of action for every nose reshaping patient,” said Dr. Eser Yuksel, lead author of the study. “Volume shifts due to gravity may occur in some cases, though it can be avoided by using specific external splints in the early postoperative period.”

“Facial rejuvenation through fat grafting has become a popular choice lately because of the continued efforts of surgeons to improve the technique,” says plastic surgeon Dr Brent Moelleken.

Aside from reshaping the nose, there are other applications of fat grafting for cosmetic purposes. Plastic surgeons are also looking into the new technique to improve breast reconstruction. Fat grafting, according to preliminary studies, yield better results than implants because they come from the patient’s own body. Also, they have a more natural feel than breast implants. The next few years, we are likely to hear about more uses of fat grafting in plastic surgery.

The study, “Role of Fat Grafting in Primary Rhinoplasty,” was presented on Sunday, October 28 2012, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.