Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38286897›Full record

SynthesisAesthetic plastic surgery2024

The Effect of Fat Grafting on Scars Hyperpigmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Mario Alessandri Bonetti, Jose Antonio Arellano, Anna Scarabosio, Hilary Y Liu, Riccardo Giorgino, Asim Ejaz, J Peter Rubin, Francesco M Egro

Erratum issuedAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
2.1field-weighted citation impact, top 14% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Mario Alessandri BonettiDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1350 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
Jose Antonio ArellanoDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1350 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
Anna ScarabosioDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, 33100, Udine, Italy.
Hilary Y LiuDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1350 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
Riccardo GiorginoResidency Program in Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Milan, 20141, Milan, Italy.
Asim EjazDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1350 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
J Peter RubinDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1350 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
Francesco M EgroDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 1350 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA. francescoegro@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0003-1536-7713
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center · USOspedale Santa Maria · ITUniversity of Milan · IT

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHyperpigmented scars, particularly in exposed body areas, can be difficult to conceal and may evoke psychological distress. While the precise causes of scar dyschromia are not fully understood, alterations in melanogenic activity appear to hold more significance than changes in melanocyte quantity. Current treatments encompass laser interventions. However, it is essential to consider their costs and potential complications in relation to their limited proven effectiveness. Fat grafting has gained interest as a scar modulation technique due to its regenerative properties, and its efficacy in reducing scar hyperpigmentation is currently under investigation.

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were accessed. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42023457778. The primary outcome was a change in scar pigmentation after fat grafting. Pigmentation changes after fat grafting were calculated using the standardized mean difference (SMD) between baseline and postoperative scores according to POSAS and VSS scales. Bias assessment was conducted according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence quality assessment tool.

resultsA total of 8 articles meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified, involving 323 patients with hyperpigmented scars treated with fat grafting. A significant difference in scar pigmentation was noted after treatment with fat grafting according to observers' ratings, with a SMD of - 1.09 [95% CI: - 1.32; - 0.85], p<0.01. The SMD for patient-reported scar pigmentation after treatment with fat grafting was - 0.99 [96% CI: - 1.31; - 0.66], p<0.01. Four studies provided objective measurements of melanin changes after fat grafting and revealed inconsistent findings compared to subjective observations.

conclusionsFat grafting shows promise in ameliorating hyperpigmented scars based on subjective assessments, but further corroborating evidence from objective measures is required. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Indexed as

Adipose TissueCicatrixHyperpigmentationAdultEstheticsFemaleHumansMaleRisk AssessmentTransplantation, AutologousTreatment OutcomeAdipose stem cellAdipose tissueFat graftingFat transferMelaninPigmentationScar

Identifiers

PMID38286897
OpenAlexW4391324413

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.