A frequent problem following cleft lip repair is insufficient lip volume and unappealing aesthetics. Autologous fat grafting is a method of improving the appearance of post-correction deformity. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous fat grafting in improving the aesthetics of cleft lip deformity. The benefits of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), benefits and complications of fat grafting, timing of grafting, and harvest and transplant techniques will be examined. This review process used \"PubMed\" and \"Google Scholar\" as primary databases. Searches were performed using combinations of key terms: \"Fat Graft,\" \"Cleft Lip,\" \"Vermillion,\" \"Autologous Fat Transplantation,\" and \"Adipocyte Derived Stem Cell.\" Reviews of reference lists for additional pertinent data were performed. Autologous fat grafting may be performed during primary repair or as a secondary correction. Statistically significant improvements in appearance were observed in some or all measured variables regardless of repair timing. Both timing options show favorable outcomes; however, there is more evidence in support of grafting as a secondary correction. Some degree of graft reabsorption will occur, lending evidence to the practice of overcorrecting to accommodate losses. Graft retention is stabilized by the 12-month mark. The presence of ADSCs within the graft aids in graft stabilization and retention. Despite a lack of longitudinal data to examine graft retention throughout a patient\'s lifetime, autologous fat grafting appears to be a safe and minimally invasive method of repairing deformity secondary to cleft lip repair supported by follow-up data as far as two years postoperatively with minimal reported complications.

Facial fat grafting is a small-volume procedure and is primarily performed for facial rejuvenation, contouring, or regenerative surgery. The unsatisfying retention rate after fat grafting, however, led to unpredictable outcomes, subsequent multiple procedures, and even some complications. A variety of methods have been proposed to enhance the results of facial fat grafting, including several established surgical principles and many possible new techniques. Adding stem cells, fat preparations, and platelet concentrates may improve the survival after fat grafting but randomized controlled clinical studies are needed to determine their safety and efficacy as well as clinical indications for each technique.

The author provides his preferred approach to fat grafting for facial rejuvenation. The preferred donor sites include low abdomen and inner thigh. Fat grafts should be harvested with low negative pressure to ensure the integrity and viability of adipocytes. Fat grafts can be processed with proper centrifugation that can reliably produce purified fat with concentrated growth factors and adipose-derived stem cells, all of which are beneficial to improve graft survival. The approach described in this article is supported by the most scientific studies and thus may provide a more predictable long-lasting result if performed properly.

The ideal filler for aesthetic surgery is inexpensive and easy to obtain, natural in appearance and texture, immunologically compatible, and long lasting without risk of infection. By most metrics, autologous fat grafts meet these criteria perfectly. Although facial fat grafting is now a commonly accepted surgical procedure, there has been a wave of activity applying stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies to aesthetic practice. This article addresses technical considerations in the use of autologous fat transfer for facial rejuvenation, and also explores the current evidence for these stem cell and PRP therapies in aesthetic practice.

Plastic surgeons have come to realize that fat grafting can rejuvenate an aging face by restoring or creating fullness. However, fat grafting does much more than simply add volume. Grafted fat can transform or repair the tissues into which it is placed. Historically, surgeons have hesitated to embrace the rejuvenating potential of fat grafting because of poor graft take, fat necrosis, and inconsistent outcomes. This article describes fat grafting techniques and practices to assist readers in successful harvesting, processing, and placement of fat for optimal graft retention and facial esthetic outcomes.

Fat grafting still remains technique dependent with possible less favorable long-term results because there are no standardized techniques used by the surgeon to perform the procedure. In this article, the authors have tried to standardize the techniques for fat grafting as first proposed and popularized by Coleman. These techniques, supported by the most recent scientific studies and understandings of clinical course following autologous fat transplantation, emphasize proper fat harvesting, processing, and placement so that a predictable long-lasting result can be achieved.