Abstract
In recent years, lipofilling became a popular scar treatment method. Its beneficial outcomes have been partly attributed to the regenerative capacity of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), suspended in an extracellular matrix—the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). The aim of this review was to verify if existing data support the clinical use of ADSC-related interventions in scar treatment. A systematic search of the literature was performed in July 2020 in five databases (Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase). Articles written in English, except for reviews, letters and editorials, were identified and screened for eligibility. We looked for reports of any outcomes in scars treated with ADSCs or SVF. Data from selected articles were extracted and the quality of each study was assessed. Five hundred and fourteen studies were identified in the primary search, of which nineteen were eventually included in the systematic review. Extracted data pointed to beneficial microscopic, functional and aesthetic outcomes in a total of 665 patients. Six studies included comparative interventions—platelet-rich plasma or CO2 fractional laser. Collected data give low-to-average quality evidence for beneficial effects of ADSC-related interventions in scar treatment. Some studies suggest that these interventions are noninferior to PRP or fractional CO2 laser.
Highlights
Skin regeneration after significant injuries comprises subsequent phases, eventually leading to scarring and remodeling
We aim to gather data from studies reporting the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) or stromal vascular fraction (SVF)
We provide an overview of ADSC/SVF isolation protocols used far in clinical studies dedicated to scar treatment
Summary
Skin regeneration after significant injuries comprises subsequent phases, eventually leading to scarring and remodeling. Scars may produce substantial functional disability or distress caused by undesirable aesthetics. To cope with such issues, many treatment modalities have been tried out. Various lasers and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) have emerged as promising scar treatment methods and are assessed in numerous clinical studies. The former approach has been used in different scar types, including atrophic acne scars, showing beneficial effects in small populations [2]. The latter shows promise of enhancing scar quality, especially in surgical scars or in combination with fractional CO2 laser or fat grafting [3]. Despite a multiplicity of approaches to cutaneous scar treatment, no gold standard has been established and novel, well-studied methods are still needed
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