title: Autologous adipose-derived stem cells: Basic science, technique, and rationale for application in ulcer and wound healing.
abstract: Objectives The present review represents a translational boundary between basic research and surgery, particularly focusing on the promising application of adipose-derived stem cells harvested intra-operatively during debridement of venous leg ulcers. Methods We reviewed 830 out of 5578 articles on MEDLINE starting from 1997 and sorted by the relevance option. Results The technique currently used for adipose-derived stem cells intra-operative harvesting is presented, including a safety evaluation on a cohort of 5089 revised patients who underwent plastic surgery and maxillo-facial surgical procedures. Complications were reported in 169 cases (3.3%). One hundred and forty-one (2.77%) patients were classified as having minor complications, specifically: nodularity/induration 93 (1.83%), dysesthesia 14 (0.26%), hematoma 12 (0.23%), superficial infection 11 (0.21%), pain 7 (0.13%), poor cosmesis 3 (0.06%), and abnormal breast secretion 1 (0.02%), while 28 patients (0.55%) were classified as having major complications, specifically: deep infection 22 (0.43%), sepsis 3 (0.06%), abdominal hematoma 2 (0.04%), and pneumothorax 1 (0.02%). Application of cell therapy in venous leg ulcer is currently used only for patients not responding to the standard treatment. The review shows the lack of randomized clinical trials for application of adipose-derived stem cells among treatments for venous leg ulcer. Finally, adipose-derived stem cells implantation at the wound site promotes a new tissue formation rich in vascular structures and remodeling collagen. Conclusion Adipose-derived stem cells strategy represents a great opportunity for the treatment of chronic wounds, due to the simplicity of the technique and the application of cell treatment in the operating room immediately following debridement. However, clinical studies and data from randomized trials are currently lacking.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Translational of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zollino
authors.affiliation: 2 Unit of Translational Surgery and Vascular Diseases Center, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zuolo
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Translational of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy.|2 Unit of Translational Surgery and Vascular Diseases Center, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gianesini
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedriali
authors.affiliation: 2 Unit of Translational Surgery and Vascular Diseases Center, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sibilla
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Translational of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy.|2 Unit of Translational Surgery and Vascular Diseases Center, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tessari
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Translational of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carinci
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Translational of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy.|2 Unit of Translational Surgery and Vascular Diseases Center, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Savino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Occhionorelli
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Translational of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy.|2 Unit of Translational Surgery and Vascular Diseases Center, Sant'Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zamboni
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D064592:Autografts; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Wound healing; stem cells; venous leg ulcers