Sir,
Fat grafting is a commonly performed aesthetic procedure. This involves harvesting fat under low pressure using syringe or high pressure using the suction machine.[1] For harvesting a small amount of fat, a low-pressure system using syringe is good enough. The usual method of harvesting fat graft with 10 or 20 cc syringes becomes tedious and repetitive if a larger amount of fat is required. The powered suction apparatus is an option, but the aspirated fat goes directly to the suction bottle. One needs to buy a sterile, autoclavable container which is interposed in between the cannula and the machine so that the aspirated fat does not go directly to the suction machine.[2]
Our modification includes attaching the harvesting suction cannula to a sterile infant mucous sucker via a 2 cc syringe. The other end of this syringe is attached to the suction tubing. After suctioning, the fat gets accumulated in the mucous sucker [Figure 1]. We can then transfer it to the syringes for insertion after the receptacle is full [Figure 2].
Figure 1.
The working arrangement. The aspiration cannula is connected to a tube which drains fat into the mucous sucker. The suction is maintained by the tubing connected to the other opening in the mucous sucker
Figure 2.
The infant mucus sucker showing aspirated fat
The advantage of this modification is that it is easy to set up. It provides a disposable sterile receptacle, which is cheap at Rs. 40/unit. The capacity of the mucous sucker is 20 cc. We can harvest 150 to 200 cc of fat with less hassle. It is a cheap alternative to the sterile autoclavable and reusable container and is universally available.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
- 1.Gir P, Brown SA, Oni G, Kashefi N, Mojallal A, Rohrich RJ. Fat grafting: Evidence-based review on autologous fat harvesting, processing, reinjection, and storage. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012;130:249–58. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e318254b4d3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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