Current therapeutic uses of adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells

Abstract

The discovery of stem cells was followed by the discovery of stem cells with the highest numbers in the fat layer, known as adipose-derived stem and progenitor cells. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated, long-lived cells that have the capacity to self-renew and give rise to a differentiated progeny. The author discusses the therapeutic uses of autologous fat and stem cell transfer, the surgical steps of lipotransfer, stem cell use in natural breast augmentation, the therapeutic uses of stem cells, stem cell use in orthopedic surgery, stem cell use in wound healing, stem cells in cardiovascular disease, and FDA recommendations and guidelines.