Cryopreservation of Autologous Adipose Tissue From Liposuction: A Review

Fat grafting is a common procedure in plastic and reconstructive surgery. It is associated with several disadvantages and complications, especially in patients undergoing recurrent procedures. Researchers are exploring the implications of cryopreserving adipose tissue and stem cells in plastic surgery. This article aimed to evaluate whether autologous fatty tissue and adipose-derived stem cells obtained through liposuction can be safely stored via cryopreservation for future surgical use.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across 3 databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Ovid MEDLINE, using specific keywords, yielding 75 articles. Studies that were not written in English or conducted in vitro were excluded. Only studies published in English within the last 5 years, and focusing on the use of cryopreservation of adipose tissue, were included. After review, a total of 22 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed.

Cryopreserving adipose tissue and adipose-derived stem cells shows great potential in plastic surgery. Patient factors such as harvesting site, age, and obesity significantly impact the yield. The highest yield was obtained by harvesting from the abdomen and thigh. Additionally, cryopreservation requires cryoprotective agents, among which a combination of dimethyl sulfoxide and human serum albumin was most effective. Despite the advancement in cryoprotective agents, thawing adipose tissue results in cell death and impaired extracellular matrix integrity. However, cryopreserved stromal vascular fraction gel demonstrated fewer complications and better retention.

The cryopreservation of adipose tissue and stromal vascular fraction gel demonstrates promising advancements for future applications in plastic surgery and regenerative medicine.