Adipocyte morphometric evaluation and angiogenesis in the omentum transposed to the breast: a preliminary study

Authors

  • Sirlei Santos Costa Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Department of Surgery
  • Rosa Maria Blotta Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Department of Surgery
  • Luise Meurer Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre; Department of Pathology
  • Maria Isabel Albano Edelweiss Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul; Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre; Department of Pathology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000200021

Keywords:

Adipocyte, Angiogenesis, Adipocyte Hypertrophy, Vegf, Adipose Tissue

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the probable mechanism of the volume increase of laparoscopically harvested omentum flaps used to treat breast deformities. METHODS: A histological analysis of omentum samples was performed to study the volume increase of laparoscopically harvested omentum flaps. Samples were harvested immediately after the transposition of the omentum from the abdominal cavity to the breast region and during the second surgical procedure for breast symmetrization of eight patients submitted to the transposition of the omentum flap. Changes in the morphometric measurements of the adipocytes (perimeter, diameter, and area), microvascular density (as measured by the CD31 endothelial marker), and immunohistochemical expression of VEGF were documented. RESULTS: The increases in adipocyte size and microvascular density were statistically significant (P < 0.012). The expression levels of VEGF were lower in the second set of samples when compared to the first set, but the differences were not statistically significant (P < 0.093). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate an increase in cellular volume as measured by adipocyte perimeter, diameter, and area. Moreover, the increase in the number of vessels in the second set of samples suggests that neoangiogenesis was stimulated by the initial increase in VEGF expression levels observed in the first set of samples. The increase in VEGF expression in the flap may have been caused by adipocyte hypertrophy resulting from neoangiogenesis.

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Published

2011-01-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Costa, S. S., Blotta, R. M., Meurer, L., & Edelweiss, M. I. A. (2011). Adipocyte morphometric evaluation and angiogenesis in the omentum transposed to the breast: a preliminary study . Clinics, 66(2), 307-312. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000200021