EFFECT OF THE BOTULINUM TOXIN ON SURVIVAL RATE OF FAT TISSUE GRAFT (AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY)

INTRODUCTION: Enhancing the survival rate of fat grafts is still a challenging issue. Therefore, the introduction of additives such as Botulinum Toxin (BoNTA) to promote fat graft survival was taken into consideration and initially assessed in a rabbit model. Aim of the study: Is to evaluate histologically and histomorphometrically the effect of BoNTA on the survival rate of fat graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 15 rabbits in each group. Each rabbit had two incision lines made in its lips as recipient sites, and fat tissue was extracted from the donor site—the scapular adipose sacs—by cutting those incision lines. There were two sets of lips on each of the rabbits: one set was for the control group, and the other study group. The control group merely received a fat transplant with 0.5ml of saline, while the experimental group received a fat graft with 5 units of BoNTA. Five rabbits were scarified at the 3, 6, and 9-week postoperative testing intervals. The upper lip was dissected for a light microscopic analysis and histomorphometrical investigation. RESULTS: Histological evaluation showed that injection with BoNTA improved survival rate and vascularization of fat graft. In comparison to the control group, the study group's percentage of the surface area of the fat graft rose statistically significantly at 3, 6 and 9 weeks (P <0.001), according to histomorphometrical analysis. CONCLUSION: The current experimental investigation implies that pre-transplantation treatment with BoNTA can enhance the integrity and angiogenesis of fat graft.