This paradigm shift has affected many aspects of fat-graft procedures. Even the terminology “fat injection,” which implies a spiritless and empty technique, is now being referred to as a “fat transfer” or “fat graft,” which emphasizes the viability of these cells.

Instruments and techniques are considerably modified in order to conservatively harvest, process, and transfer viable fat parcels to the recipient site. Moreover, many efforts are recently being made to enhance the longevity and the regenerative potentials of donor fat. Research into stem cells and platelet-derived growth factors is producing results that are opening a new era in this field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

It is not surprising that with these advances, current indications for fat grafting (eg, facial augmentation and facial rejuvenations) are producing more predictable and have higher-quality results. In addition, these techniques are newly being used adjunctively in face lifts, blepharoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and orthognathic surgery and are substituting some of these current aesthetic procedures as they may be less complex.

This issue of Atlas of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America specifically covers an update on all above-mentioned areas of fat grafting, and a multidisciplinary team of authors and experts that are mostly among the world-known aesthetic surgeons may be a paramount feature of this issue. We hope this new exceptional situation will help to reveal different concepts and overlooked sides to fat grafting and it is hoped the readers find most of their questions and needs in these 11 comprehensive articles.