# Preclinical Volume Retention of Fat Grafts Processed with REVOLVE™ Technology or Decantation Methods in Irradiated and Nonirradiated Wounds

## TL;DR

This study compares two fat graft processing methods in irradiated and non-irradiated wounds, finding that REVOLVE™ technology improves fat retention and quality.

## Contribution

The study introduces REVOLVE™ technology as a novel filtration-based method for fat graft processing, showing improved outcomes in preclinical models.

## Key findings

- REVOLVE™ technology produced fat grafts with higher fat content and lower aqueous fluid compared to decantation.
- REVOLVE™-processed fat showed significantly higher volume retention in both irradiated and non-irradiated sites.
- Pathology results indicated reduced fibrosis in non-irradiated sites with REVOLVE™-processed grafts.

## Abstract

Background: The processing of harvested fat for transplantation is critical to fat graft performance. In breast reconstruction, larger volumes of fat are being grafted and, in some clinical cases, are being implanted within radiated tissue. This preclinical animal study evaluated the effects of radiation on retention volume and fat graft quality after processing by decantation or REVOLVE™ technology (Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company), a filtration-based device that can process lipoaspirates and remove unwanted contaminants prior to grafting. Methods: Lipoaspirate was collected from human donors (n = 6), processed using either REVOLVE™ technology or decantation, and implanted (0.5 cc) into 60 athymic mice for 4 weeks with or without a single 35-Gy radiation dose 12 weeks prior. Volume composition, MRI, and weight-based volumetric assessment of grafted fat were performed and compared between radiated and non-radiated mice. Results: Volume composition analysis demonstrated significantly higher fat content and lower aqueous fluid with REVOLVE™ technology than with decantation, with minimal cellular debris and free oil. MRI-based and weight-based volume analysis demonstrated a significantly higher percent retention with REVOLVE™ technology than decantation in nonirradiated and irradiated sites, respectively. Pathology scoring showed a significant decrease in fibrosis within grafts processed with REVOLVE™ technology in nonirradiated sites. Conclusions: Results suggest that fat processed using REVOLVE™ technology provides better early volume retention and quality of fat grafts compared to decantation, both in healthy and radiation-treated surgical sites.