Instructions for Abdominal Fat Tissue Aspirate

• 10cc syringe
• Provodine solution/swab
• 16ga needle
• Alcohol wipe
• 1cc syringe with 25 ga needle
• 2×2 gauze pad
• 1% or 2% Lidocaine
• Band-Aid
• Gloves

Procedure:
Patient reclining, cleanse area with iodine solution – usually paraumbilical, but may be anywhere on the abdomen avoiding scars, rash, cellulitis or bruises.

Infiltrate 1cc lidocaine

Using 16ga needle on 10cc syringe, insert needle subcutaneously. Put full negative pressure (plunger out to 10cc mark), on syringe. While plunger is in this position, move needle back and forth under the skin two to four times, remove needle from skin while plunger is still pulled back. Examine the syringe for tiny (1mm) pieces of fat tissue. Fat droplets alone are not adequate for diagnosis; drops of blood do not interfere with diagnosis. Repeat aspirate until 5-10 pieces of tissue are obtained. (Usually requires reinsertion of needle into skin 2-4 times.)

Transportation:
Cap syringe and mail in secure packaging. Regular or air mail is adequate. No refrigeration or ice is necessary. Please send Monday through Thursday only.

Send to:

Boston Medical Center
Department of Anatomic Pathology Accessioning Area
670 Albany Street, 3rd Floor Rm 328
Boston, MA 02118