Level B· Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
Stromal Vascular Fraction-Assisted Fat Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Outcomes
Jefri Z.E., Alashjaee R.H., Almarri A.K., Fadel Z.T.
Meta-analysis comparing SVF-enriched fat grafting with conventional technique, assessing graft retention and safety.
Level B· Emerging clinical evidence with positive signalsEvidence level of this study
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
- Study type
- Meta-analysis
- Journal
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2026)
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
- Sample size
- —
- Follow-up
- Varied across included studies
- PMID
- 41501426
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00266-025-05511-6
What was studied
Whether SVF reduces resorption of grafted fat compared with conventional fat grafting.
Methods
- • Searched Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Ovid Cochrane and Google Scholar to September 2025 following PRISMA.
- • Risk of bias assessed with RoB-2, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and ROBINS-I.
Key findings
- • Random-effects pooling of mean differences and risk ratios with I² heterogeneity assessment.
- • Included both RCTs and observational studies, producing mixed evidence quality.
Limitations
- • Heterogeneity in SVF preparation and volumetric measurement methods.
- • Observational studies carry higher risk of bias.
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
The most recent synthesis for aesthetic surgery using SVF to supplement fat grafting.
Evidence level: Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals