Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2025
Stromal Vascular Fraction-enriched Fat Grafting for the Treatment of Symptomatic End-neuromata
Published on: November 23, 2017
Long-Term Outcome of Fat Grafting to Treat Facial Systemic Sclerosis: A Prospective Cohort Study
Aurora Almadori1,2,3, Michelle Griffin1,2,3, Jeon Hyun1,2,3
1From the Centre for Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London.
Background:
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by subcutaneous tissue loss and dermal fibrosis, with limited facial movement and mouth opening. Fat grafting is a minimally invasive technique used to restore facial volume and improve skin fibrosis.
Methods:
A cohort of 93 patients were assessed using 3-dimensional imaging before and after fat grafting. Secondary outcomes included physician-based assessment; mouth function (using the Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis Scale), psychological status, quality of life (using the Derriford Appearance Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, visual analog scale, and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale); and patient satisfaction.
Results:
After an average of 2.96 ± 2.2 sessions of fat grafting, with an injection volume of 11.9 ± 6 cc in each session, the overall retention rate was 53.1% ± 0.17% at an average follow-up of 3.11 ± 1.73 years. Patients undergoing 5 or more interventions presented a higher retention rate (73.1% ± 0.08%) than those receiving 1 or 2 treatments (45.2% ± 0.09% and 50.5% ± 0.15%, respectively) ( P < 0.05). Significant improvements were found in mouth function ( P < 0.0001) and quality of life ( P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
Facial fat grafting is an effective technique for restoring facial volume and improving oral function and quality of life in patients with scleroderma. This study presents the largest number of patients published to date with the longest follow-up period.
Clinical Question/Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic, IV.
