The use of adipose tissue and its derivates to stimulate and support wound healing processes - An updated review

Introduction: Since being first recognized as a source of adult derived stem cells almost 2-decades ago, combined with more recent studies showing it to harbor significant quantities of additionally useful cell populations, growth factors, and hormones, as well as enjoying a readily available location, considerable research into using adipose tissue and it derivatives to augment chronic wound healing has been conducted. Materials and methods: We conducted a PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov search to review the status of research into the use of adipose and its derivatives to augment wound healing. The studies selected were limited to animal studies, human studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews, case series, and case reports published in the last 15-years. The final selection of articles was based on the discretion of the researchers and in total 41 articles were chosen for inclusion in this review. Results: Traditional lipo-grafting; adipose derived stem cell isolation purification and culture; cell-free human adipose tissue extract; and finally autologous fat grafting utilizing the cellular stromal vascular fraction, are all very different ways in which adipose tissue is currently being researched and used to augment chronic wound healing. Most papers report significant benefit utilizing each of these preparations in the treatment of chronic wounds, however significant cost differences make routine selection of therapy improbable. Conclusion: Adipose tissue and its derivates are increasingly being recognized as containing a plethora of cells, growth factors, and hormones, all of which are currently the focus area of intensive in-vitro and in-vivo research.