Level B· Emerging Clinical Evidence
Efficacy and safety of stromal vascular fraction on scar revision surgery: a prospective study
Kwon H., Lee S., Kim J., Song S.H.
Prospective double-blind study in 20 patients comparing an SVF-injected side with a saline-injected side of the same scar.
- Study type
- Prospective Study
- Journal
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment (2023)
- Country
- South Korea
- Sample size
- 20
- Follow-up
- 6 months
- PMID
- 36661928
- DOI
- 10.1080/09546634.2023.2171260
What was studied
Whether SVF improves scar revision outcomes versus saline in a within-patient comparison.
Methods
- • After scar revision by a single surgeon, 0.1 mL/cm of SVF was injected on the test side and saline on the control side.
- • Assessed with POSAS before and six months after surgery.
Key findings
- • The SVF side improved significantly in 11 of 12 POSAS items.
- • Four patients withdrew for personal reasons, leaving 16 for analysis.
Limitations
- • Small sample and only six months of follow-up.
- • Within-patient design may allow cross-over effects.
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 within-patient design controls confounders well, making this relatively strong scar evidence.
Evidence level: Emerging Clinical Evidence