Facial Reconstruction with Fat Grafting

Traumatic facial injuries can cause debilitating effects — such as sunken, jagged features and increased scarring.

Injuries to the face can come from:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Gunshots
• Military combat
• Other incidents

While surgeons can often rebuild the bones of the face, it’s hard to return the soft tissue to its original form.

Experts at the UPMC Center for Innovation in Restorative Medicine are researching a new form of facial reconstruction called fat grafting.

Led by McGowan Institute's J. Peter Rubin, MD, fat grafting is minimally invasive surgery. It improves soft tissue deformities in the head and face.

Fat Grafting Surgery for Facial Trauma

During fat grafting facial reconstruction, surgeons:

• Remove your own fat from an area where it's less needed.
• Transfer the fat to areas on your face that have lost shape or fullness.

Researchers believe that this stem cell-rich fat promotes:

• Blood vessel growth
• Blood flow
• Volume
• Lift

These are crucial for the survival of the fat graft and also promote healing and stability.