Débridement and Autologous Lipotransfer for Chronic Ulceration of the Diabetic Foot and Lower Limb Improves Wound Healing.
BACKGROUND
The application of autologous lipotransfer (fat grafting, lipofilling) in reconstructive surgery is steadily becoming more popular as evidence of the regenerative and reparative effects of fat becomes better known. The authors investigated the use of autologous lipotransfer for treatment of chronic diabetic and other foot and lower limb ulcers.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with nonhealing wounds were treated with surgical débridement and autologous lipotransfer (using the débridement and autologous lipotransfer method). The mean age of the wounds before intervention was 16.7 months. Wound size after débridement averaged 5.1 ± 2.6 cm2. On average, 7.1 ± 3.3 cc of lipoaspirate was transferred into the wound area.


RESULTS
Twenty-two of 25 wounds (88 percent) healed completely within a mean of 68.0 ± 33.0 days. A reduction of wound size by 50 percent was achieved after an average of 4 weeks. In one patient with an ulcer within particularly scarred tissues on the lower limb, a repeated session of lipotransfer led to complete wound healing after another 4 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors describe a simple and useful technique to improve wound healing in diabetic feet and chronic lower limb ulcers with a background of peripheral vascular disease, where other interventional options to achieve wound healing have failed.
Cologne, Aachen, and Hameln, Germany From Valentis Beauty, Clinic for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery; the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Luisenhospital; and the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Handsurgery, Sana Klinikum Hameln Pyrmont.
Tilman
T
Stasch
Julius
J
Hoehne
Tuan
T
Huynh
Randy
R
De Baerdemaeker
Siegfried
S
Grandel
Christian
C
Herold
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003646:Debridement; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000601:surgery*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014945:Wound Healing