脂肪吸引によるマイクロフラグメント化脂肪組織注入：整形外科医と形成外科医が実施した手技の安全性比較パイロットスタディ
Bruno Butturi Varone1, Rodrigo Bernstein Conde2, Chilan B G Leite1,3
1Knee Group, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Hospital das Clínicas (HCFMUSP), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
To compare short-term complication rates of small-volume adipose tissue harvesting for micro-fragmented adipose tissue (mFAT) knee injections performed by orthopedic surgeons with those performed by plastic surgeons. Additionally, to evaluate the orthopedic surgeon's learning curve.
Methods:
The present case-control study enrolled patients with knee osteoarthritis. All patients underwent a single-stage procedure consisting of abdominal adipose tissue harvesting, processing of the extracted material using the Lipogems (Lipogems International SpA) device to obtain mFAT, which was then injected intra-articularly into the knee. The patients were divided into a test group, with harvesting being performed by a recently trained orthopedic surgeon, and a control group, in which the procedure was performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. Short-term adverse effects, minor and major complications related to harvesting, were assessed intraoperatively and at 7-day follow-up.
Results:
No major complications (fat embolism, thromboembolic events, abdominal perforation, wound infection, dehiscence, or cosmetic changes) were observed in either group. Abdominal discomfort during harvesting, classified as a minor complication, showed no statistically significant difference between groups ( p = 0.362). Postoperative adverse effects, such as abdominal ecchymosis ( p = 0.362) and discomfort ( p = 0.342), were equivalent in both groups and resolved within 7 days.
Conclusion:
The present pilot study suggests that, with adequate training, orthopedic surgeons can perform small-volume adipose tissue harvesting with low complication rates, comparable to those achieved by plastic surgeons experienced in liposuction.
