摘要

Objectives: Participants will understand the evolution of adipose-derived cell isolation from chemical to mechanical dissociation. They will learn the advantages of mechanical techniques, including improved safety, reduced costs, and simplified clinical application. Attendees will explore how mechanically isolated ADCs enhance fat grafting outcomes and gain insight into their role in regenerative medicine and future innovations. Introduction: Despite the increasing popularity of fat grafting, the isolation of adipose-derived cells (ADCs) and fat tissue manipulation remains controversial. Since the discovery of a putative stem cell population in the adipose stromal compartment in 2001, studies have confirmed the abundance of mesenchymal cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and growth factor-producing cells in fat tissue. However, the isolation, activation, and immediate use of these cells for fat transplantation remain challenging. This study presents our evolution from chemical to mechanical dissociation methods. Materials / method: Adipose tissue was collected from the abdomen during liposuction and processed using either chemical or mechanical dissociation. For chemical dissociation, fat was washed with Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline and digested with collagenase, then centrifuged to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). The SVF underwent additional processing to obtain ADCs for reintegration into fat tissue. Mechanical dissociation, introduced in 2008, omitted the use of collagenase. Instead, fat was processed using saline washes, centrifugation, and a syringe-based gradient force to detach ADCs. Both meth Results: From 2002–2023, 3,410 patients underwent autologous fat grafting: 972 with chemical dissociation (until 2008) and 2,438 with mechanical dissociation (post-2008). On average, 40–50 million stem cells were isolated per 100 mL of processed fat. Procedures included facial volumization, gluteal enhancement, and reconstructive surgeries, with an average resorption rate of 40% after two years. Mechanical dissociation eliminated significant costs associated with chemical methods, making it safer and more cost-effective. Conclusion: Mechanical dissociation offers a reproducible, efficient alternative for isolating ADCs and using them in fat grafting without laboratory equipment or collagenase, improving accessibility and safety.