Title : Controlling melanocytic hyperactivity is no more a dream with mesenchymal stem cells
Abstract:
Background: Facial contour deformities associated with pigmentary changes are of major concern for plastic surgeons both being important and difficult in treating such issues. No definite ideal treatment option is available to address simultaneously both the contour defect as well as related pigmentation.
Objectives: The aim of the current study is to compare long term effects of conventional adipose tissue grafting and ex-vivo expanded MSCs enriched adipose tissue grafting for the treatment of contour deformities with pigmentary changes on face. Material and
Methods: In this study eighty (80) patients of contour deformities of face with hyperpigmentation were recruited after informed consent. Two techniques i.e. conventional fat grafting (C-FG) and fat grafts enriched with expanded adipose stem cells (FG-ASCs) were used to address the pigmentation. Both techniques were explained to patients and enrolled patients were divided into two groups i.e. C-FG and FG-ASCS per patients’ choice and satisfaction. Patients of FG-ASCs group were treated with fat grafts enriched with expanded adipose stem cells while patients of C-FGs group were treated with conventional fat grafting. Patients were followed for 12 months and improvement in face pigmentation was assessed clinically as well as measured objectively. Patients’ satisfaction was also documented as highly satisfied, satisfied and unsatisfied. This clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with ID: NTC03564808.
Results: Mean age of patients was 24.42(±4.49), 66 patients were females. Forehead was involved in 61.20% cases, cheek in 21.20% cases, chin in 11.20% cases and nose in 6.20% cases. In GF-ASCs group, the integrated color density (ICD) was decreased (1.08×106 ±4.64×105 ) as compared to C-FG group (2.80×105±1.69×105 ). Patients treated with fat grafts enriched with expanded adipose stem cells were significantly more satisfied as compared to patients treated with conventional fat grafting only.
Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cell enriched autologous fat grafting is preferred option for improving the contour deformities related increased pigmentation of face skin.
Keywords: Hyperpigmentation, Color Density, Enriched adipose tissue graft, Fat grafting, Contour Deformities, Image J