Stem cell enrichment of fat grafts ineffective in breast augmentation

Image: CC/Wiki

1. Breast augmentation by water-assisted lipotransfer (WAL) without stem cell enrichment was faster and more cost effective.

2. WAL alone resulted in at least an equal take rate when compared to WAL with stem cell enrichment. 

Evidence Rating Level: 3 (Average) 

Study Rundown: Water-assisted lipotransfer reduces the amount adipose-tissue derived stem cells in the harvested fat grafts. Some have suggested enriching the lipoaspirate with stem cells in order to achieve a cell count that is closer to that of native adipose tissue. The authors of this study set out to examine how this enrichment impacted the perioperative outcomes of breast augmentation. The authors found prolonged operation time with the patients receiving enriched grafts, but no significant difference in the mean survival volume of the whole graft between groups. Because the enrichment process was both more expensive and showed no significant benefit to the patients, the authors discontinued the study for ethical and economic reasons. A larger study, in which the additional expenses for the enriched procedure are defrayed, could result in further insights.

Click to read the study in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Relevant Reading: Clinical trial of autologous differentiated adipocytes from stem cells derived from human adipose tissue

In-Depth [prospective cohort]: This study compared the perioperative results of breast augmentation by WAL alone and WAL with enrichment. 18 women underwent breast augmentation with WAL. Outcomes, including volume of the graft, was assessed by MRI preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The enrichment process was not only more costly, but also prolonged operation time by 2-2.5 hours. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean survival volume of the whole graft between groups (54% in the WAL alone and 50% in the WAL with enrichment).

By Amir Tarsha and Allen Ho

More from this author: Local excision inferior to major resection in T1-2 colon cancer and T2 rectal cancer, Secondary mastoid obliteration improves quality of life for patients with chronic otitis media, Healthcare reform linked with reduced racial disparities in surgical care, VATS lobectomy may be preferred in COPD with non-small-cell lung cancer, One-on-one training leads to improved virtual reality laparoscopic performance

© 2012-2013 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. Disclaimer: We present factual information directly from peer reviewed medical journals. No post should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors, editors, staff or by 2minutemedicine.com. PLEASE SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA IF YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT.