Influence of Cannula Design on Lipoaspirate Architecture: A Double-Blind, Split-Body Trial Comparing Basket, Accelerator, and Candy Cane Cannulas
In brief
Accelerator cannulas harvest larger, less uniform fat parcels than two alternatives
In 48 samples from 16 patients, the Accelerator cannula produced the largest fat parcels and the greatest variation in parcel size; Basket and Candy Cane cannulas produced smaller, more uniform parcels. Cannula type did not significantly change tissue phases or the measured signs of tissue damage, so whether parcel size affects graft retention remains unknown.
- Journal
- Aesthetic plastic surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 12 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Yanko Castro-Govea, Roberto Martínez-Mejorada, Cynthia M Gonzalez-Cantu, Luis Rodrigo Gomez-Alvarez, Pedro Emiliano Ramos-Morales, Luis Adrian Alvarez-Lozada, et al.
- PMID
- 42864544
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00266-026-06294-0
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Histology (paper of the day, 15 October 2026): Cannula geometry influences macroscopic adipose architecture
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting is widely used in reconstructive and esthetic surgery; however, variability in graft retention remains a major limitation. Cannula design may influence the mechanical trauma inflicted during fat harvesting, potentially affecting adipocyte architecture and tissue integrity. This study aimed to evaluate the macroscopic and histologic characteristics of adipose tissue harvested using three different suction cannulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind, non-randomized, split-body clinical trial was conducted. Adipose tissue was harvested from the abdominal region of sixteen patients undergoing elective liposuction using three 4-mm diameter cannulas (Basket, Accelerator [ACC], and Candy Cane). Lipoaspirate samples were processed to separate aqueous, adipose, and oily phases. Macroscopic parcel area was measured using stereoscopic imaging, and histologic evaluation assessed adipocyte alterations, septal connective tissue disorganization, and debris presence. Statistical analysis aimed to determine differences from each characteristic per cannula design. RESULTS: A total of 48 adipose tissue samples were analyzed. The ACC cannula produced the largest adipose parcels and exhibited greater parcel size heterogeneity, whereas the Candy Cane and Basket cannulas generated smaller and more uniform parcels. No significant differences were observed among cannula types in the proportions of aqueous, adipose, or oily phases. Histologic analysis showed no significant association between cannula type and adipocyte alterations, septal disorganization, or debris presence. Patient age demonstrated significant correlations with adipose-phase volume and parcel size across cannula types. CONCLUSION: Cannula geometry influences the macroscopic architecture of harvested adipose tissue but does not appear to significantly affect histologic integrity or phase distribution when standardized harvesting conditions are applied. Patient-related factors, particularly age, may contribute to variability in adipose tissue characteristics at the time of harvest. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.