Level B· Emerging Clinical Evidence
Cell-assisted lipotransfer: Friend or foe in fat grafting? Systematic review and meta-analysis
Laloze J., Varin A., Bertheuil N., Chaput B.
Included 25 studies with 696 patients; fat survival rate was significantly higher with cell-assisted lipotransfer than conventional grafting.
- Study type
- Meta-analysis
- Journal
- Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (2018)
- Country
- France
- Sample size
- 696
- Follow-up
- Varied across included studies
- PMID
- 28719946
- DOI
- 10.1002/term.2524
What was studied
Efficacy and safety of adding adipose-derived cells (including SVF) to fat grafting.
Methods
- • Searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Web of Science and EMBASE from 2008 to 2016.
- • 16 studies entered the meta-analysis of fat survival rate.
Key findings
- • Fat survival rate was significantly higher than in controls.
- • Complication incidence and need for repeat procedures were used as safety measures.
Limitations
- • Included case series and cohorts with inherent bias risk.
- • Volumetric measurement methods differed across studies.
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
Supports a CAL benefit for graft retention, with caveats about standardising cell preparation.
Evidence level: Emerging Clinical Evidence