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Review
. 2023 Dec 15;12(5):98-111.
eCollection 2023.

Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in scar treatment among patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current practices and outcomes

Ronald Mbiine  1 , Misaki Wayengera  2 , Noah Kiwanuka  3 , Ian Munabi  4 , Haruna Muwonge  5 , Cephas Nakanwagi  6 , Moses Joloba  7 , Moses Galukande  1
Affiliations
Review

Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in scar treatment among patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current practices and outcomes

Ronald Mbiine et al. Am J Stem Cells. .

Abstract

Background: Keloids and hypertrophic scars are some of the most common skin conditions globally, associated with poor treatment response and high recurrence rates. Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is increasingly recognized as an emerging therapy albeit limited literature on its outcome in scar treatment. This review aimed to describe the current practices and outcomes of adipose-derived stromal Vascular Fraction in scar treatment.

Methods: This systematic review assessed articles describing the use of SVF in scar treatment published between 2000 and 2023. Article searches of Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases using Mesh terms and the Boolean operators ("AND", "OR") by two independent researchers were done whilst following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical studies assessing SVF in scar treatment with a primary outcome measure being an improvement in scar characteristics including the thickness, scar assessment scores were included.

Results: Among the 1425 studies identified in the search, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 493 patients included. Eight of these were clinical trials with the rest being observational studies. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 24 months. In all studies, there was an improvement in scar characteristics following single-dose treatment with SVF or its equivalent. All studies reported SVF to be safe.

Conclusion: The review found that autologous adipose-derived SVF is a clinically effective therapy for keloids and scar treatment.

Keywords: Stromal vascular fraction; adipose stem cells; keloids; scars; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow chart of studies screened and included.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias assessment of included clinical trials.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Total patient POSAS score.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Total observer POSAS score.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Meta-analysis of the observational studies that reported POSAS scores.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Funnel plot for publication bias.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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