Cell-assisted lipotransfer: Current concepts

Abstract

Autologous fat transfer, or lipofilling, is a common technique used for soft tissue reconstruction. It has been used for many years, but the technique is associated with a significant graft resorption rate (20% to 80%). To improve the fat graft survival rate, several methods have been tested, and one has appeared more promising: cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL). In the CAL method, fat is enriched with adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC), contained in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) obtained after enzymatic digestion of fat or after cell culture to improve the fat survival rate. In this concise review, we present the clinical indications, and the technical principles of CAL, as well as a presentation of ASC. To conclude, we present the main results (efficacy, complications and safety) obtained from different studies of this technique.

Keywords: Adipose-derived stromal cells; Autologous fat grafting; Cell-assisted lipotransfer; Cellules stromales mésenchymateuse du tissu adipeux; Concepts actuels; Concise review; Current concepts; Revue de la littérature; Transfert de tissu adipeux.