Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40387444›Full record

SynthesisWound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society

Fat Graft as Regenerative Treatment of Facial Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis: A Systematic Review on the Role of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and on Surgical Outcomes to Define a New Standardised Injection Protocol.

A Arena, S Troise, F De Francesco, M Apolito, U Committeri, G Salzano, A Romano, P Bonavolontà, V Abbate, R Nocini and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Regenerative Approaches in Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

A ArenaMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
S TroiseMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8421-0328
F De FrancescoDepartment of Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, AOU 'Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy.
M ApolitoMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1810-6191
U CommitteriMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Terni, Terni, Italy.
G SalzanoMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
A RomanoMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
P BonavolontàMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
V AbbateMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
R NociniDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy.
G Dell'Aversana OrabonaMaxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Facial symptoms of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-such as reduced skin elasticity, fibrosis and microstomy-significantly impact quality of life. In recent years, autologous fat grafting has emerged as a promising treatment for these issues, but determining the optimal timing and techniques for fat injection remains a challenge for surgeons. Our study aimed to perform a systematic review of the available literature to establish a standardised protocol for this procedure. We reviewed all relevant studies published up to 18 August 2023, focusing specifically on diffuse facial scleroderma. In addition to clinical reports, we included articles discussing the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the effects of adipose stem cells. A total of 18 articles were analysed, revealing a range of methods and timelines for the procedure. The volume of fat injected varied from 6 cc for perioral treatment to 72 cc for a full-face approach, with treatment intervals ranging from one session per year to one every 3 months. On average, around 50% of the fat was reabsorbed within 6 months. Adipose stem cells were identified as a key factor in both tissue regeneration and fat resorption rates. This review supports the effectiveness of autologous fat grafting for facial scleroderma, emphasising the role of adipose stem cells. For optimal results, two procedures spaced 3-6 months apart, followed by annual maintenance, are recommended. Consistent fat volumes in different facial areas are essential to achieve longer-lasting outcomes and minimise resorption.

Indexed as

Adipose TissueRegenerationScleroderma, SystemicStem Cell TransplantationFaceHumansQuality of LifeTransplantation, AutologousTreatment Outcomeadipose tissue‐derived stem cellsfacial sclerodermafat graftinginjection protocolsystemic sclerosis

Identifiers

PMID40387444
PMCPMC12087422

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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.