Fat Transfer Using Inner Knee?

In my practice I have found very good success with fat harvested from the inner knee.  In my extensive experience with fat grafting, I have found that harvest technique and harvest equipment make much more of a difference regarding fat graft survival than harvest site.  Atraumatic harvest and injection of fat cells with little exposure to air are the keys to cell survival at the graft sites.  While the inner knee is not my first choice for harvest it provides a convenient option when small volumes of fat are needed for primary or touch up cases.

Generally, the best areas to take fat from are the inner and outer thigh and abdomen.  The survival is dependent on technique both removal of the grafts and subsequent injections.   Knee fat is good as well.  Basically, the less fibrous the source the better.  Sometimes, it is a matter of where you have the most easily accessible fat.  I usually, engage my patient in the decision making process. 

I hope this helps,

Dr. Amir Karam 

Fat injection remains controversial relative to technique and outcome.  Studies are now underway to answer some of the fundamental questions about the biology of fat injections (even though we have been injecting fat for years).  The inner thigh has been touted as a good area from which to harvest fat but I have seen no scientific evidence that it is any better than other areas.

 

Typically areas that have the softest and healthiest fat are the easiest to harvest from and thus the fat graft stays healthier.  Conversely areas where the fat is firm and there is a great deal of fibrous tissue require more aggressive techniques to remove the fat and the survival is compromised.

The fat along the inner thigh and knee is a good source for fat grafts. I don't think anyone has conclusively demonstrated improved survival of fat grafts taken from one region vs. another. Certainly fat that is relatively more difficult to harvest (back fat, for example) because of it fibrous character, is probably traumatized more during the harvesting process.