Level B· Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
Efficacy and Safety of Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zhou Y., Wang J., Li H., Li Q.
Pooled 17 articles covering 387 cases to estimate fat survival rate along with complication and reoperation incidence.
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
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2016)
- Country
- China
- Sample size
- 387
- Follow-up
- Varied across included studies
- PMID
- 26710060
- DOI
- 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001981
What was studied
Fat survival rate and safety of cell-assisted fat grafting.
Methods
- • Searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCO and EMBASE for studies published 2008–2014.
Key findings
- • Produced a pooled estimate of fat survival rate from available studies.
- • Reported complications were predominantly minor.
Limitations
- • Most included studies were not RCTs.
- • Data date back to 2008 when techniques differed from today.
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
An early but still frequently cited synthesis; read alongside more recent meta-analyses.
Evidence level: Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals