QUOTE
Fat discovery may change face of cosmetic, breast, burn surgery
William Birnbauer
February 10, 2008
MELBOURNE surgeons are planning human trials of a fat-growing technique that could revolutionise breast reconstructions and the treatment of congenital deformities and burns.
If the procedure proves successful, naturally produced body fat in future may replace collagen or other dermal fillers used in cosmetic surgery.
Initial human trials of the technique - in which fat can be stimulated to grow in specific areas of the body - could begin soon, according to Professor Wayne Morrison, director of the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery and head of surgery at St Vincent's Hospital.
Professor Morrison's team found that by inserting a small plastic chamber into pigs and mice and running blood vessels through it, fat spontaneously filled the box. In pigs, this natural fat production produced a fatty deposit the size of a small breast in just six weeks.
The researchers are unsure exactly how the fat is produced but know that the growth of fatty tissue does not depend on fat cells being used - in fact any tissue seems to do the trick.
"If you put even bits of kidney or bits of something else in there, fat still forms," Professor Morrison said. "It turns out that the fat that forms is not actually from the fat you put in but it's from the animal itself.
"The implanted bit of tissue you put in is just sending a signal to that animal to make its own fat. This has significant implications."
In humans, the technique would eliminate scarring and the risk of rejection which occurs when implants or fat from other body parts are inserted.
Instead of patients undergoing major surgery, the technique would allow them to grow fat under their skin while they went about their daily lives. The fat could be used to fill body cavities caused by deformities or cancers and provide a platform for skin to grow on in victims of severe burns.
Professor Morrison said his team was almost ready to test the technique in humans. The trial had been delayed by the absence of a biodegradable chamber, which was still being developed by chemical engineers.
William Birnbauer
February 10, 2008
MELBOURNE surgeons are planning human trials of a fat-growing technique that could revolutionise breast reconstructions and the treatment of congenital deformities and burns.
If the procedure proves successful, naturally produced body fat in future may replace collagen or other dermal fillers used in cosmetic surgery.
Initial human trials of the technique - in which fat can be stimulated to grow in specific areas of the body - could begin soon, according to Professor Wayne Morrison, director of the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery and head of surgery at St Vincent's Hospital.
Professor Morrison's team found that by inserting a small plastic chamber into pigs and mice and running blood vessels through it, fat spontaneously filled the box. In pigs, this natural fat production produced a fatty deposit the size of a small breast in just six weeks.
The researchers are unsure exactly how the fat is produced but know that the growth of fatty tissue does not depend on fat cells being used - in fact any tissue seems to do the trick.
"If you put even bits of kidney or bits of something else in there, fat still forms," Professor Morrison said. "It turns out that the fat that forms is not actually from the fat you put in but it's from the animal itself.
"The implanted bit of tissue you put in is just sending a signal to that animal to make its own fat. This has significant implications."
In humans, the technique would eliminate scarring and the risk of rejection which occurs when implants or fat from other body parts are inserted.
Instead of patients undergoing major surgery, the technique would allow them to grow fat under their skin while they went about their daily lives. The fat could be used to fill body cavities caused by deformities or cancers and provide a platform for skin to grow on in victims of severe burns.
Professor Morrison said his team was almost ready to test the technique in humans. The trial had been delayed by the absence of a biodegradable chamber, which was still being developed by chemical engineers.
