Stem Cells May Change the Face of Plastic Surgery

Responding to international demand, a San Diego company by the name of Cytori Therapeutics Inc., has developed a device for combining human body fat with stem cells and other regenerative cells.

The theory behind introducing stem cells to the procedure predicts that the regenerative properties of the cells will help prevent the body’s rejection of transplanted tissue.  A stem cell-fortified fat product should promote the formation of new blood vessels, bonding the reintroduced tissue to its surroundings.  The results would be nothing short of a natural implant.

New York plastic surgeon Dr. Sydney Coleman was published in the medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for his innovative breast augmentation technique, which employs a controversial fat grafting/transplant method.

Fat is taken from other areas of the body (just as it is commonly done during liposuction) and added to the breast.  The technique hasn’t caught on due to certain risks, such as death of, and calcification of the grafted fat and/or mammogram interference.

Surgeons in Europe and Japan have experimented with techniques and reported success. However, FDA approval of any stem cell product would be required for use in the United States and more research on the long term effects of fat grafting is necessary.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery is recruiting patients for a study.  More information on the study is available at ClinicalTrials.gov