Stromal Vascular Fraction in Scar Management | ||
| The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 11 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejprs.2025.430744.1449 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Sarah Fathallah Aly* 1; Abdelhafez E2; Ayman M Abdelmofeed3; Mohamed T. Younis3; ola seif3 | ||
| 1General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Elsheikh Zayed Elmarkazy Hospital | ||
| 2General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt | ||
| 3Plastic Surgery Unit, General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF), obtained from adipose tissue, has recently emerged as a promising regenerative strategy owing to its diverse cellular composition. This fraction comprises mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, pericytes, and immunomodulatory elements, each contributing to a processe essential for tissue regeneration, including angiogenesis, immune regulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SVF in improving the characteristics and severity of various types of scars using objective and subjective assessment tools and to compare the degree of improvement among different scar types, supported by both clinical and proposed histopathological evaluation for future studies. Patient and Methods: This multicenter prospective study enrolled 60 patients presenting with post-operative, post acne, hypertrophic, atrophic, post-burn, or traumatic scars. SVF was isolated from autologous adipose tissue using a modified mechanical emulsification technique, providing a minimally manipulated regenerative fraction. Adipose tissue was harvested under sterile conditions, primarily from the lower abdomen, with alternative donor sites such as the flanks and thighs considered to optimize SVF yield. The isolated SVF was then injected intradermally into the scarred areas. Scars were evaluated at baseline and six months post-treatment using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Significant improvement was observed in pigmentation (p = 0.003), height (p = 0.045), and vascularity (p = 0.030). The mean VSS score significantly decreased from 7.06 ± 3.60 to 5.23 ± 2.89 (p = 0.034). Patient satisfaction with overall scar appearance improved significantly (p = 0.046), with 66.7% reporting satisfaction. However, pliability, pain, and pruritus showed no significant improvement, indicating that multimodal approaches, such as combining SVF with PRP or laser therapy, may be required to target these elements more effectively. Conclusions: SVF significantly improves aesthetic characteristics of scars, particularly pigmentation, height, and vascularity, with high patient satisfaction, it shows potential as a minimally invasive therapy, yet refinement of isolation methods, longer follow-up, and histological validation are essential to confirm its regenerative impact. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Stromal Vascular Fraction; Scar management; Vancouver Scar Scale; Observer Scar Assessment Scale; 5-Point Likert Scale | ||
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