[Free fat transfer--a versatile tool in reconstructive surgery].

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Free fat transfer or lipofilling is a procedure quickly increasing in popularity. Free fat transfer offers treatment for soft tissue defects caused by trauma or cancer, congenital anomalies, painful scars, irradiation injuries and aesthetic indications. The advantages compared to, e.g., traditional flap reconstructions includes surgical easiness, minor donor-site morbidity, easy access, hardly no scars, quick recovery and avoidance of foreign bodies such as implants. The regenerative potential of free fat transfer is due to abundant adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC). These cells are under extremely active investigation and have rapidly led to clinical trials and treatment modalities in combination with tissue engineering. Free fat transfer nowadays offers hope to patients that formerly could not be helped with surgical intervention.

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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