Background
It is still debatable if adding stem and regeneration cells [adipose-derived stem cell (ADSCs)] to conventional fat grafting is the best way to enhance results and achieve more predictable outcomes. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of standard fat grafting to ADSC-enhanced fat transfer for face tissue augmentation.
Patient and methods
This was a prospective comparative study of 40 patients who were eligible for facial tissue augmentation using split-face technique using fat transfer alone in one half of the face and fat enriched with ADSCs in the other half.
Results
The half of the face injected with fat enriched with ADSCs showed improved longevity of results after comparing with MRI scanning and assessor assessment.
Conclusion
Enriching transferred fat with ADSCs is a safe and reproducible technique with no added risk of complications to the lipofilling technique.