Aesthetic and therapeutic outcome of fat grafting for localized Scleroderma treatment: From basic study to clinical application

Abstract

Background Localized scleroderma (LoS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by skin fibrosis and subcutaneous tissue atrophy, resulting in aesthetic impairment on patients. Fat grafting has been used to treat LoS patients, achieving aesthetic and therapeutic improvement. Aims This article summarized the epidemiology and pathophysiology of LoS and the current progress and thorny questions of basic and clinical research on fat grafting treating LoS. Methods The literature of the last 20 years concerning fat grafting of treating LoS was reviewed. Results Fat grafting has been proved to produce aesthetic and therapeutic outcomes on LoS patients, including the improvement of soft tissue atrophy, skin fibrosis and pigmentation. Due to the inflammatory microenvironment of scleroderma, however, fat grafting still faces many difficulties, such as low fat retention. Novel fat grafting methods in order to supplement the deficiency of adipose‐derived stem cells and improve fat retention in LoS groups have been proposed whose effectiveness and feasibility is still needed further study. Conclusion Currently, fat grafting has been regarded as an effective treatment with a combination of aesthetic and therapeutic outcomes on LoS patients.

Inhibition of RIP3 increased ADSC viability under OGD and modified the competency of adipogenesis, angiogenesis, and inflammation regulation

“…Autologous fat transplantation (AFT) has been widely used in recent years. This technique is favored in aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries because of its comprehensive source of adipose tissue, relatively simple access, and minimal invasion [ 1–3 ]. However, the sizeable long-term graft survival rate fluctuation and lack of corresponding intervention methods limit its further development and clinical application [ 4–7 ].…”

Association Between Fat Graft Retention and Blood Flow in Localized Scleroderma Patients: A Pilot Study

“…Localized scleroderma is a chronic benign inflammatory connective tissue disease that manifests as various plaques of different shapes and sizes with signs of skin inflammation, sclerosis, and atrophy ( 1 , 2 ). A complex hypothetical mechanism of the pathogenesis of LS has been proposed, where vessels are affected and may, in return, contribute to its further development ( 5 , 18 , 19 ).…”

“…Localized scleroderma (LS) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissues in the affected area ( 1 , 2 ). Presenting as skin fibrosis, facial atrophy, and hyperpigmentation, LS seriously impairs the facial aesthetics and life quality of patients ( 1 , 3 ).…”

“…Localized scleroderma (LS) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissues in the affected area ( 1 , 2 ). Presenting as skin fibrosis, facial atrophy, and hyperpigmentation, LS seriously impairs the facial aesthetics and life quality of patients ( 1 , 3 ). With multiple advantages, such as minor invasion and natural appearance outcomes, autologous fat grafting (AFG) has become the primary surgical treatment for patients with LS ( 1 , 4 , 5 ).…”

“…Presenting as skin fibrosis, facial atrophy, and hyperpigmentation, LS seriously impairs the facial aesthetics and life quality of patients ( 1 , 3 ). With multiple advantages, such as minor invasion and natural appearance outcomes, autologous fat grafting (AFG) has become the primary surgical treatment for patients with LS ( 1 , 4 , 5 ). AFG has been proved to produce aesthetic and therapeutic outcomes on patients with LS, including the clinical improvement of soft tissue atrophy, skin fibrosis, and pigmentation.…”