Level B· Emerging Clinical Evidence

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.

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

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