[Autologous fat grafting in the surgical management of painful scar: preliminary results]

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to report our experience about the effectiveness of autologous fat injections in the management of painful scars. Between 2010 and 2012, all patients with persistent incisional pain despite a well-conduced 6 months medical treatment received an autologous fat graft according to the technique originally described by Coleman. Results interpretation was based on pain improvement thanks to a Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), postoperative patient satisfaction, reduction on analgesics intake and quality of life improvement. Eleven patients were included, the mean quantity of fat injected was 11cm(3). Nine patients (1.5%) benefited from a complete or significant pain decrease, 74.5% reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the result. The mean reduction of VAS was 3.5 points. We did not observe any complication. Autologous fat grafting is an innovative therapeutic approach and appears to be an attractive concept in the management of scar neuromas resistant to drug treatment, by providing an easy effective and safe surgical treatment.

Keywords: ADSCs; Autologous fat grafting; Cellules souches graisseuses; Cicatrice; Douleur neuropathique; Injection de graisse autologue; Lipofilling; Neuropathic pain; Névrome cicatriciel; Scar; Scar neuroma.