Arabic version: الجراحون في الولايات المتحدة يستخدمون دهون الجثث في الإجراءات التجميلية

Some cosmetic and plastic surgeons in the US are using donor adipose (fat) tissue from dead bodies in filler products, a trend that has raised safety and ethical concerns among medical professionals. While this practice, often referred to as “zombie filler,” has gained traction, it remains unapproved in Australia.

According to The Guardian, Dr. David Sparks, a plastic surgeon based in Queensland, expressed alarm over the increasing inquiries from patients about cadaver fillers. He emphasized that the clinical evidence is still early stage and that it simply isn’t something that can be legitimately offered in Australia.

The process involves injecting fat from deceased donors, which has been treated with a detergent solution that strips the cells of their DNA, thus reducing the likelihood of immune rejection. However, experts like Dr. Deshan Sebaratnam highlight the absence of long-term data on how the body responds to these fillers. They advocate for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this emerging treatment.

Despite the processing methods designed to mitigate risks, concerns persist regarding potential complications such as tissue rejection, infection, and transmission of communicable diseases. Dr. Lily Vrtik, president of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, noted that while donor-derived tissue isn’t new in surgery, the novelty lies in the specific tissue type and processing method used for cosmetic purposes.

Ethical questions also arise, particularly regarding whether donors are fully informed about how their bodies will be used. Experts warn that the normalization of such procedures through social media could lead to negative body image issues and increased demand for cosmetic enhancements, regardless of the associated risks.