CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2015; 48(02): 139-143
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.163048
Original Article
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

How were lipofilling cannulae designed and are they as safe as we believe?

Memet Yazar
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Sevgi Kurt Yazar
2   Department of Plastic, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Kamuran Zeynep Sevim
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Fatih Irmak
3   Department of Mersin Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Merva Soluk Tekesin
4   Department of Pathology, Istanbul University, Istanbul Medicine Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Erol Kozanoğlu
5   Department of Istanbul University, Istanbul Medicine Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Semra Karsidag
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 August 2019 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Background: Most practitioners in plastic surgery believe that blunt tipped cannulae are safer. Interestingly, there is no study about their safety, and the problem is exactly this. As the use of blunt tipped cannulae is somehow difficult, some surgeons try other extreme alternatives, such as sharp and cutting tipped injection needles. But, they can cause complications such as vessel damage. According to these hypotheses, we tried to design a cannula which would ease the application of lipofilling and which would minimise the trauma. Contrary to the injection needle, the tips of the cannula would be blunter, and trauma would be diminished. Objectives: After designing such a cannula, we compared it with the most frequently used Coleman type cannulae with regard to ease in utilisation, and safety. We also tried to evaluate the potential for trauma, of the regularly used cannulae. Materials and Methods: In the first part, the penetration capacity of all cannulae was measured and compared, and in the second part, the tissue damage was evaluated in an experimental model. Results: According to the statistical and histological findings, the pointed-tip cannulae, blunted to a certain degree, can be applied easily through the tissues. The surgeon works more comfortably and we have noted that these cannulae cause less tissue damage.