Harvesting Technique Affects Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Yield

Background: The success of an autologous fat graft depends in part on its total stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). However, variations in the yields of ASCs and SVF cells as a result of different harvesting techniques and donor sites are poorly understood. Objective: To investigate the effects of adipose tissue harvesting technique and donor site on the yield of ASCs and SVF cells. Methods: Subcutaneous fat tissues from the abdomen, flank, or axilla were harvested from patients of various ages by mechanical liposuction, direct surgical excision, or Coleman's technique with or without centrifugation. Cells were isolated and then analyzed with flow cytometry to determine the yields of total SVF cells and ASCs (CD11b-, CD45-, CD34+, CD90+, D7-FIB+). Differences in ASC and total SVF yields were assessed with one-way analysis of variance. Differentiation experiments were performed to confirm the multilineage potential of cultured SVF cells. Results: Compared with Coleman's technique without centrifugation, direct excision yielded significantly more ASCs (P <.001) and total SVF cells (P =.007); liposuction yielded significantly fewer ASCs (P <.001) and total SVF cells (P <.05); and Coleman's technique with centrifugation yielded significantly more total SVF cells (P <.005), but not ASCs. The total number of SVF cells in fat harvested from the abdomen was significantly larger than the number in fat harvested from the flank or axilla (P <.05). Cultured SVF cells differentiated to adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. Conclusions: Adipose tissue harvested from the abdomen through direct excision or Coleman's technique with centrifugation was found to yield the most SVF cells and ASCs.