Autologous injectable dermis: a clinical and histological study.

[BACKGROUND] No perfect solution yet exists for dermal fillers. The authors hypothesized that autologous dermis can be processed in an operator-friendly manner and adopted in selected patients as a filler, following the principle of replacing "like with like."

[METHODS] The authors designed a prototype "cutting chamber" to morsel dermis into an injectable form. Autologous injectable dermis grafting was performed in 16 patients who underwent lip or labionasal fold correction concomitant with abdominoplasty or cesarean scar correction; patient dermis was used for the donor graft. Furthermore, injectable dermis grafting was performed in the subcutaneous tissue of three patients undergoing multistage reconstructive procedures for obesity. The grafts were harvested and examined histologically at 3, 7, and 12 months.

[RESULTS] Dermis processing and injection proved feasible with limited effort. All 16 patients presented good volume maintenance by 12 months. Two reported transient palpable firmness for the first 6 months, which subsequently resolved. Histological examination of processed and injected dermis showed volume maintenance over time, effective revascularization of the mass, and structural reorganization with collagen bundles and nested fibroblasts reminiscent of reticular dermis. A transient inflammatory reaction was observed, consistent with the expected healing events.

[CONCLUSIONS] Use of autologous dermis as a filler substance for both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures appears to be a feasible option. It could be advised for patients requiring filler correction who undergo concomitant procedures involving excision of potential donor dermis.