Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine and Plastic Surgery: Perspective from Personal Practice

Abstract

Clinical observations of improvement of soft tissues after lipo-filling led to the hypothesis that adipose tissue is more than a filler. It is known that fat tissue has a complex cellular composition being a rich source of mesenchymal multipotent stem cells. These qualities make fat an important tool both in tissue regeneration and in regenerative plastic surgery (RPS). RPS in our practice is oriented toward reconstruction, correction, and rejuvenation of soft tissues of different anatomic areas, neck, hands, limbs, and abdomen, affected by congenital, oncological, posttraumatic, or aging conditions. Our focus is a closed surgery that has visible regenerative outcomes explained by the synergic action of three main agents combined in a single surgical session, under general anesthesia: autologous microfat graft, fractional CO2 laser (superficial ablative resurfacing), and PRP. Additional optimizing factors can be used as ADSC enrichment of fat and laser-assisted lipolysis. The equipment that we use is based on microcannulas and lasers (fractional CO2 and diode). The result consists in regeneration of normal, pathological skin, underlying soft tissues and improved safety.