Level B· Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
Efficacy of stromal vascular fraction in the treatment of scars: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Qiu K., Gan W., Chen X.
Pooled four studies with 145 patients (64 receiving SVF): significant benefit for vascularity, itching, POSAS and scar thickness.
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
- Skin Research and Technology (2024)
- Country
- China
- Sample size
- 145
- Follow-up
- Varied across included studies
- PMID
- 39086176
- DOI
- 10.1111/srt.13881
What was studied
Effects of SVF across multiple scar characteristics.
Methods
- • Searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science.
- • Outcomes included vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, pliability, surface area, pain and itching.
Key findings
- • Significant improvement in vascularity (p = 0.04), itching (p = 0.002), POSAS (p = 0.001) and thickness (p < 0.001).
- • No significant difference for colour, pigmentation, surface area, pain or pliability.
Limitations
- • Only four studies with a small pooled sample.
- • Scar types and protocols differed.
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
Positive but thin evidence — informative for decisions, not conclusive.
Evidence level: Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals