ABSTRACT

A relatively new concept in rejuvenation of the aging face is replacement of soft tissue volume, not simply under specific rhytids and furrows, but full face volume restoration [1]. As one ages, volume diminishes around the eyes, the perioral regions, the cheeks, and the mandibular areas with flattening of the natural arcs of fullness about the face [2] (Fig. 1). This loss of soft tissue volume cannot be corrected with rhytidectomy or laser resurfacing. Fat augmentation has been recommended to restore youthful fullness with good results [3,4]. However, longevity and symmetry of fat augmentation have been problematic [5]. In addition, prolonged edema for months has limited patient acceptance when large volumes are replaced. In order to minimize downtime for patients, multiple sessions with small volumes of frozen fat have been recommended [6,7]. A new method for facial volume restoration with adipose tissue that potentially circumvents these problems

is known as fat autograft muscle injection (FAMI). With this technique, adipose tissue is injected within or adjacent to the facial expression muscles to restore facial fullness and optimize longevity of the grafted tissue. Downtime for patients has been reduced to 5-7 days.