Fat Grafting for Treatment of Facial Scleroderma

Abstract

Reparative, angiogenic, and immunomodulatory properties have been attributed to the cells in the adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction. Because of these characteristics, in the last decade, fat grafting for treatment of autoimmune diseases has grown. This article focuses on systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disease characterized by skin fibrosis and microvascular damage. Lesions of the face are almost always present; however, current therapy is insufficient and patients have considerable disability and social discomfort. This article presents our approach to using fat grafting in the face as an innovative and promising therapy for patients with systemic sclerosis.

Keywords: Adipose tissue; Cell therapy; Fat grafting; Microfat injection; Nanofat; Platelet-rich plasma; Stromal vascular fraction; Systemic sclerosis.