Level C· Early Human Research

Potential drawbacks in cell-assisted lipotransfer: A systematic review of existing reports

Huang S., Zhao W., Wang Z., Chang P.

Reviewed 57 CAL studies focusing on drawbacks and risks such as graft liquefaction/resorption and the absence of standardised guidelines.

Study type
Systematic Review
Journal
Molecular Medicine Reports (2016)
Country
China
Sample size
Follow-up
Not applicable (literature review)
PMID
26677061
DOI
10.3892/mmr.2015.4682

What was studied

Drawbacks, risks and regulatory gaps in the clinical use of CAL.

Methods

  • Reviewed 57 publications, of which seven described actual clinical application.

Key findings

  • Clinical use was concentrated in breast augmentation and soft-tissue augmentation.
  • The authors called for clear criteria and guidelines before widespread use.

Limitations

  • Narrative-style review without quantitative analysis.
  • 2016 data may be partly outdated.

What this study does not prove

  • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
  • Limited follow-up cannot indicate long-term outcomes.

Clinical interpretation

A risk-focused counterweight to studies that report only positive outcomes.

Evidence level: Early Human Research

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