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Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Published in: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 5/2022

11-04-2022 | Fat Grafting | Review

Effectiveness of Autologous Fat Transfer in the Treatment of Scar-Related Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors: Abdullah A. Al Qurashi, Ahmed Kamal Siddiqi, Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alghamdi, Abdullah Ali N. Aljalfan, Ahmed Abdullah Almenhali, Faisal Ali Al Jabr, Ahmed Mustafa Rashid, Talal Almas, Ritesh G. Menezes

Published in: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery | Issue 5/2022

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Abstract

Background and Aim

Autologous fat transfer (AFT) has been introduced as a potential treatment option for scar-tissue and its related symptoms. However, the scientific evidence for its effectiveness remains unclear. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of autologous fat transfer for the treatment of scar-tissue and its related conditions.

Methods

PubMed/Medline database was queried from its inception till the end of November 2021. All the relevant studies assessing the effect of autologous fat transfer in the treatment of scar-related conditions were pooled in using a random-effects model.

Results

9 studies (n=179) were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis demonstrates significant improvement in all subscales of the POSAS patient score with most prominent in color 2.4 points (95% CI 1.78–3.041), stiffness 2.9 points (95% CI 2.33–3.45), irregularity 2.2 points (95% CI 1.093–3.297) and thickness 1.8 points (95% CI 0.804–2.719), respectively. Pain and itch improved relatively lesser, 1.3 points (95% CI 0.958–1.674) and 0.6 points (95% CI 0.169–1.215), respectively. The POSAS observer scale showed a relatively lower improvement with the least in vascularity 0.5 points (95% CI 0.098–0.96), pigmentation 0.8 points (95% CI 0.391–1.276) and surface area 0.8 points (95% CI 0.34–1.25). Thickness improved by 1.4 points (95% CI 0.582–2.3), relief 1.0 points (95% CI 0.461–1.545) and pliability 1.5 points (95% CI 1.039–2.036).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that autologous fat transfer (AFT) is a promising treatment for scar-related conditions as it provides beneficial results in the scar quality. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of AFT and high-level evidence studies such as, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies are required.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.​springer.​com/​00266.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Effectiveness of Autologous Fat Transfer in the Treatment of Scar-Related Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors
Abdullah A. Al Qurashi
Ahmed Kamal Siddiqi
Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alghamdi
Abdullah Ali N. Aljalfan
Ahmed Abdullah Almenhali
Faisal Ali Al Jabr
Ahmed Mustafa Rashid
Talal Almas
Ritesh G. Menezes
Publication date
11-04-2022
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery / Issue 5/2022
Print ISSN: 0364-216X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5241
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-022-02869-9

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