New fat grafting procedures improve breast reconstruction

(HealthDay) -- Two autologous fat grafting procedures, enhanced stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fat grafting, maintain breast volume and three-dimensional contour better than the standard fat grafting procedure, according to a study published online April 13 in Stem Cells Translational Medicine.

Pietro Gentile, M.D., of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and colleagues conducted a comparative translational study involving 23 women affected by breast soft tissue defects to compare the effects of two autologous fat grafting procedures in maintaining fat volume after breast reconstruction surgery. SVF-enhanced autologous fat grafting (performed in 10 women) and fat grafting with PRP (performed in 13 women) were compared with the results achieved in a control group (10 patients) who were treated with a standard centrifuged fat grafting procedure.

The researchers found that, after one year, 63 and 69 percent maintenance of contour restoring and three-dimensional volume was seen in the SVF and PRP groups, respectively, compared with 39 percent in the control group.

"We conclude that engineered fat grafting based on the [addition] of SVF or PRP is a reliable alternative to breast implant based on some initial indications," the authors write. "Additional study is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this method further."