Fat grafts enriched with ex-vivo expanded adipose stem cells improve hyperpigmentation of face

Facial contour deformities associated with pigmentary changes are of major concern for plastic surgeons being difficult to treat. No definite ideal treatment option is available to address simultaneously both the contour defects as well as related hyperpigmentation. The aim of the current study is to compare long-term effects of conventional adipose tissue grafting and ex-vivo expanded ASC-enriched adipose tissue grafting for the treatment of contour deformities related pigmentary changes on the face. In this study, 80 patients of contour deformities of face with hyperpigmentation were recruited after informed consent. Two techniques, that is, conventional fat grafting (C-FG) and fat grafts enriched with expanded adipose stem cells (FG-ASCs) were used to address the pigmentation. Both techniques were explained to patients and enrolled patients were divided into two groups, that is, C-FG and FG-ASCs as per patients' choice and satisfaction. Patients of the FG-ASCs group were treated with FG-ASCs while patients of C-FGs group were treated with C-FG (without expanded ASCs). Patients were followed for 12 months and improvement in face pigmentation was assessed clinically as well as measured objectively. Patients' satisfaction was also documented as highly satisfied, satisfied, and unsatisfied. This clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with ID: NTC03564808. Mean age of patients was 24.42 (±4.49), 66 patients were females. Forehead was involved in 61.20% cases, cheek in 21.20% cases, chin in 11.20% cases, and nose in 6.20% cases. In GF-ASCs group, the integrated color density was decreased (1.08 × 10⁶  ± 4.64 × 10⁵ ) as compared with C-FG group (2.80 × 10⁵  ± 1.69 × 10⁵ ). Patients treated with fat grafts enriched with expanded ASCs were significantly more satisfied as compared with patients treated with C-FG only. In conclusion, ASC-enriched autologous fat grafting is preferred option for improving the contour deformities related increased pigmentation of face skin.