Free Dermal Fat Autografting for Complex Craniofacial Wounds

Effectiveness of Autologous Fat Grafting in the Treatment of Scars: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Autologous fat transfer (AFT) has been proposed as a possible treatment for scar tissue and its associated symptoms. Its effectiveness's evidence is yet unidentified though. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the currently available evidence on the efficacy and safety of autologous fat transfer in treating post-burn and post-traumatic scars using a validated scar measurement tool.

METHODS

This study performed a systematic literature review in November 2023 using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), PUBMED, and Google Scholar. The following key terms were included: (Fat grafting OR Autologous fat transfer) AND (body scars OR body burns OR body wounds) AND (Efficacy OR Safety OR satisfaction). We evaluated articles according to predefined quality criteria. The following data were included during the extraction period: patient demographics, indications for AFT, the number of AFT sessions, follow-up periods, and changes in the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) scores, which contain both the patient and observer components.

RESULTS

This study included 1326 patients and 23 published articles. A total of 14 prospective studies, 7 retrospective studies, and 2 Randomized clinical trials studies were evaluated. These 23 articles came from diverse global locations; the earliest was published in 1992, and the most recently published in 2022.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated significant enhancements in scar characteristics from both patient and observer perspectives. Overall, AFT holds promise as a valuable treatment option for scar-related conditions as it enhances scar quality ,contributing to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.

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 Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Surgical Procedures of the Correction of Severe Static Glabellar Lines by Utilizing Resection with Free Dermal Fat Grafting (FDFG)

BACKGROUND

Botulinum toxin alone is unable to sufficiently reduce the muscle in cases of severe static glabellar lines due to the folded skin and dermal breakdown that frequently accompany these conditions. Augmentation of the soft tissue and removal of folded skin at the same time is the final solution. To simultaneously resolve interbrow skin laxity and replenish tissue volume, we present for the first time the method of glabellar lines excision combined with FDFG.

METHODS

This retrospective study involved 23 patients with moderate-to-severe static glabellar lines underwent resection and/or free dermal fat grafting (FDFG) from June 2022 to June 2023. Fifteen of them underwent glabellar lines excision combined with FDFG, and seven were filled only. These patients were followed up at least 6 months to evaluate the effect. We utilized FACE-Q and WSRS for assessment in order to investigate the clinical results.

RESULTS

There is no complication such as discoloration, hematoma, infection and palpability in all cases. After 6-15 months of follow-up, all the patients' dynamic and static lines were improved to a certain degree, and the patients were satisfied with the results with the WSRS score decreased from 3.5 ± 0.47 to 1.8 ± 0.62, and FACE-Q assessments in "Line between the eyebrows" decreased from 87 ± 7.39 to 43 ± 10.3.

CONCLUSIONS

Resection in conjunction with FDFG is a brief, innovative and effective technique to correct static and dynamic severe glabellar wrinkles and maintain an acceptable outcome over an extended period of time which worthy clinical promotion.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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 .

Free Dermal Fat Grafting: A Novel Technique for the Correction of Nasolabial Folds During Facelift Surgery

BACKGROUND

Traditional facelift surgery does not behave well in the correction of nasolabial folds, which is a common clinical problem and needed to be improved.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of free dermal fat grafting during facelift surgery for the treatment of nasolabial folds.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study involved 80 patients with moderate to severe nasolabial folds and facial skin dermatolysis. Fifty of them underwent facelift surgery combined with free dermal fat grafting, and 30 of them underwent traditional facelift surgery. These patients were followed up 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery to evaluate the effect.

RESULTS

The difference in Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) scores, assessed at each follow-up, between the patients who underwent and did not undergo free dermal fat grafting during facelift surgery, was statistically significant. For patients who underwent free dermal fat grafting during facelift surgery, the WSRS scores assessed at 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery were significantly different from those before the surgery. The analytic results of FACE-Q indicated a high level of overall satisfaction rate. No major complications were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Free dermal fat as a filler for nasolabial folds can achieve excellent therapeutic effect. The combination of facelift surgery with free dermal fat grafting for the treatment of nasolabial folds can provide very good long-term results and a high patient satisfaction rate for patients with symptoms of facial aging such as facial dermatolysis, obvious wrinkles, and deep nasolabial folds.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

The efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma in the tendon-exposed wounds: a preliminary study

Objective

Currently, among wounds with large skin tissue defects caused by various reasons, the treatment of refractory wounds is still a major clinical problem. This study is aimed to preliminarily assess the therapeutic potentials of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in refractory wounds with exposed tendons, as well as corresponding efficacy and safety.

Methods

A total of 12 patients (5 males and 7 females) with refractory wounds and exposed tendons who were admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to December 2020 were included in this study. After the preparation of PRP, the included patients underwent the PRP injection after the debridement of wounds, and the efficacy and prognosis were assessed by the same group of senior surgeons.

Results

The average age of included patients was 42.7 ± 12.9 years, and the causes of injury included traffic accidents (3 cases), contusion (2 cases), burns (2 cases), diabetes complications (4 cases), and melanoma complications (1 cases). The average healing time was 23.0 ± 5.0 days, and the mean size of the wound was 3.1 × 5.1 cm². During the whole treatment process, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) decreased from 7.4 ± 1.6 before PRP treatment to 3.6 ± 0.9 after treatment (P < 0.001), Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) decreased from 12.3 ± 4.5 before PRP treatment to 5.4 ± 1.2 after treatment (P < 0.001), and no redness and swelling were observed around wounds, the size and degree of wounds gradually reduced, the coverage rate of granulation tissue was acceptable, overall quality of scar was relatively good, skin sensitivity around wounds was normal, there was no local wounds secretion, and postoperative patient's satisfaction was relatively good during follow-up.

Conclusions

Our study has preliminarily indicated that PRP can promote the wounds healing, reduce the inflammation around wounds, and improve the granulation tissue and angiogenesis, thereby effectively polishing up the safety and efficacy.