The Use of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) and Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) in Skin Scar Treatment—A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies

Abstract

In recent years, lipofilling became a popular scar treatment method. Its beneficial outcomes have been partly attributed to the regenerative capacity of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), suspended in an extracellular matrix—the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). The aim of this review was to verify if existing data support the clinical use of ADSC-related interventions in scar treatment. A systematic search of the literature was performed in July 2020 in five databases (Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase). Articles written in English, except for reviews, letters and editorials, were identified and screened for eligibility. We looked for reports of any outcomes in scars treated with ADSCs or SVF. Data from selected articles were extracted and the quality of each study was assessed. Five hundred and fourteen studies were identified in the primary search, of which nineteen were eventually included in the systematic review. Extracted data pointed to beneficial microscopic, functional and aesthetic outcomes in a total of 665 patients. Six studies included comparative interventions—platelet-rich plasma or CO2 fractional laser. Collected data give low-to-average quality evidence for beneficial effects of ADSC-related interventions in scar treatment. Some studies suggest that these interventions are noninferior to PRP or fractional CO2 laser.