Renuva Allograft Adipose Matrix (MTF Biologics) is a fat grafting alternative that doesn’t require liposuction. It’s made from donated human fat to treat small areas of soft tissue defects on the face and body, including liposuction divots.
Richard A. D’Amico, M.D., a plastic surgeon practicing in Englewood, N.J., former president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and current chair of ASPS’s Regenerative Medicine Committee, commented by email on the in-office fat grafting treatment.
The Aesthetic Channel: What is Renuva?
Dr. D’Amico: Renuva is an acellular adipose matrix (AAM), meaning MTF Biologics takes donated human adipose tissue, decellularizes it, then takes the lipid out of it. What’s left is a bio-inductive protein matrix. It’s injected into a person, and it stimulates the recipient to make their own fat.
Renuva is not a filler in the sense of hyaluronic acid. It’s a bio-inductive agent that can cause a recipient to fill a space with their own fat. It’s incredibly cool and the first ever of its kind.
In comparison to fat grafting, which requires anesthesia and is labor and cost-intensive, Renuva is, in essence, an off-the-shelf fat injection.
The Aesthetic Channel: What specifically does Renuva treat?
Dr. D’Amico: Renuva is used to treat soft-tissue defects in the face and body, including hollow cheeks, hollow temples, vaccination defects, liposuction defects, small defects after breast reconstruction and has been used in cleft lip repairs and other facial reconstructive repairs for children.
The Aesthetic Channel: What have studies shown as far as safety, efficacy and longevity?
Dr. D’Amico: Renuva has been tested for safety and efficacy on the dorsum, soft tissues in the torso and face/temples — all of which showed beautiful results. Results can last up to 36 months in the body or one year in the face.
The Aesthetic Channel: How might you use it in practice? And for which patients, specifically?
Dr. D’Amico: Any place there’s a soft tissue defect, it should be considered.
The Aesthetic Channel: When is traditional fat grafting a better alternative for a patient and why?
Dr. D’Amico: Traditional fat grafting is a better alternative if you’re dealing with really large defects.
