Cell-assisted lipotransfer for cosmetic breast augmentation: supportive use of adipose-derived stem/stromal cells.
BACKGROUND
Lipoinjection is a promising treatment but has some problems, such as unpredictability and a low rate of graft survival due to partial necrosis.


METHODS
To overcome the problems with lipoinjection, the authors developed a novel strategy known as cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL). In CAL, autologous adipose-derived stem (stromal) cells (ASCs) are used in combination with lipoinjection. A stromal vascular fraction (SVF) containing ASCs is freshly isolated from half of the aspirated fat and recombined with the other half. This process converts relatively ASC-poor aspirated fat to ASC-rich fat. This report presents the findings for 40 patients who underwent CAL for cosmetic breast augmentation.


RESULTS
Final breast volume showed augmentation by 100 to 200 ml after a mean fat amount of 270 ml was injected. Postoperative atrophy of injected fat was minimal and did not change substantially after 2 months. Cyst formation or microcalcification was detected in four patients. Almost all the patients were satisfied with the soft and natural-appearing augmentation.


CONCLUSIONS
The preliminary results suggest that CAL is effective and safe for soft tissue augmentation and superior to conventional lipoinjection. Additional study is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this technique further.
Yoshimura
Kotaro
K
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8655, Tokyo, Japan. yoshimura-pla@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Sato
Katsujiro
K
Aoi
Noriyuki
N
Kurita
Masakazu
M
Hirohi
Toshitsugu
T
Harii
Kiyonori
K
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D019928:Breast Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D050507:Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / Q000637:transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome