Breast Augmentation by Fat Transplantation With Adipose-Derived Stem/Stromal Cells

Surgical methods using implants were broadly selected for breast augmentation surgery until recently; however, owing to several associated problems, fat transplantation using adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ADSCs) has been suggested as an alternative.

This study evaluated the clinical benefits of fat transplantation using ADSCs for breast augmentation.

The clinical effects were investigated in 105 patients who underwent breast augmentation with ADSCs and fat transplantation. Liposuction was performed in the abdominal and/or thigh regions; ADSCs were isolated from the fat, mixed with refined fat, and transplanted into each breast; and changes in the breast volume were measured.

The average increase in breast volume was approximately 185 mL at 2 weeks after operation. Fat engraftment rates were 85.1, 75.1, and 73.7% of augmented volumes after 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. A total of 39 patients who received >60 million ADSCs exhibited a transplanted fat engraftment rate of 90.5% (average increase, 162 mL), whereas this rate was 68.9% (average increase, 115 mL) in 31 patients who received <60 million ADSCs.

This study demonstrates that breast augmentation with ADSCs and fat transplantation is effective. Surgical outcomes substantially improved with increased numbers of implanted ADSCs.