The vulva is composed of aesthetic units that can be affected differently by vulvar conditions. A reliable, comprehensive, and quick-to-use clinical scoring system is required to assess the disease extent in the vulvar area. leer más
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of lipotransfer in women presenting with fibrosis and scarring due to lichen sclerosus. leer más
Salvage total laryngectomy (TL) and laryngopharyngectomy (LP) after chemoradiotherapy may produce disfiguring defects with severe complications that require complex reconstructions. leer más
Multimodality treatment for head and neck cancer leads to substantial functional and esthetic impairment mainly manifested as radiation-induced skin fibrosis (RIF) in combination with volumetric defects and reduction in neck mobility. This study assessed the impact of lipotransfer as part of secondary surgical procedure(s) in patients treated for head and neck malignancies. leer más
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are capable of secreting regenerative growth factors and replacing multiple tissue types. Although current literature suggests that ASCs accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring, the dose-response relationship has not been adequately investigated in large animals. We sought to establish a porcine model to optimize dose and delivery. leer más
Lipotransfer for soft tissue filling is a well-established plastic and aesthetic surgical technique. Elective fat grafting is considered a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Coleman and others have reported that fat grafting may have tissue regenerative properties and not only serve as a soft tissue filler. There have been reports from our group and others that it may improve fibrosis secondary to many different pathological aetiologies including scleroderma, burn injury, lichen sclerosis, graft vs host disease, and radiation. The mechanism of action remains unclear but has been postulated that is adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) related. Lipoaspirate has been characterised and shown to contain several cell populations including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and ADSCs. The ADSCs have shown to secrete angiogenic, immunodulatory, and antiapoptotic factors as well as proliferate and differentiate into different cell types similarly to other stem cell sources. We have shown that ADSCs are functionally different in scleroderma patients but despite this lipotransfer produces a significant reversal in the effects of fibrosis in these patients. The advantage of lipoaspirate containing a valuable source of regenerative properties, ease of access, isolation, and processing may serve a significant future role in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. leer más
One of the most interesting developments in practical applications of fat grafting in recent years is the use of prosurvival strategies to improve maintenance of volume. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a decisive role in the repair and regeneration of different tissues via the activation and secretion of a great variety of growth factors and other cytokines stored in the alpha-granules of the platelets. This review aimed to assess the efficacy of PRP mixed-fat grafting as a prosurvival strategy for fat grafts. leer más
Oro-facial fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma;SSc) has a major impact on mouth function, facial appearance, and patient quality of life. Lipotransfer is a method of reconstruction that can be used in the treatment of oro-facial fibrosis. The effect of this treatment not only restores oro-facial volume but has also been found to reverse the effects of oro-facial fibrosis. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) within the engrafted adipose tissue have been shown to be anti-fibrotic in SSc and are proposed as the mechanism of the anti-fibrotic effect of lipotransfer. A cohort of 62 SSc patients with oro-facial fibrosis were assessed before and after stem cell enriched lipotransfer treatment. Clinical evaluation included assessment of mouth function using a validated assessment tool (Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis Scale-MHISS), validated psychological measurements and pre and post-operative volumetric assessment. In addition, to understand the mechanism by which the anti-fibrotic effect of ADSCs occur, SSc derived fibroblasts and ADSCs from this cohort of patients were co-cultured in direct and indirect culture systems and compared to monoculture controls. Cell viability, DNA content, protein secretion of known fibrotic mediators including growth factor- β1 (TGF β-1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) using ELISA analysis and fibrosis gene expression using a fibrosis pathway specific qPCR array were evaluated. Mouth function (MHISS) was significantly improved (6.85±5.07) (p<0.0001) after treatment. All psychological measures were significantly improved: DAS 24 (12.1±9.5) (p<0.0001); HADS-anxiety (2.8±3.2) (p<0.0001), HADS-depression (2.0±3.1) (p<0.0001); BFNE (2.9 ± 4.3) (p<0.0001); VAS (3.56±4.1) (p<0.0001). Multiple treatments further improved mouth function (p<0.05), DAS (p<0.0001) and VAS (p = 0.01) scores. SSc fibroblast viability and proliferation was significantly reduced in co-culture compared to monoculture via a paracrine effect over 14 days (p < 0.0001). Protein secretion of transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was significantly reduced in co-culture compared to monoculture (p < 0.0001). Multiple fibrosis associated genes were down regulated in SSc co-culture compared to monoculture after 14 days including Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMMP-8), Platelet derived growth factor-β (PDGF-β) and Integrin Subunit Beta 6 (ITG-β6). Autologous stem cell enriched lipotransfer significantly improved the effects of oro-facial fibrosis in SSc in this open cohort study. Lipotransfer may reduce dermal fibrosis through the suppression of fibroblast proliferation and key regulators of fibrogenesis including TG-β1 and CTGF. Our findings warrant further investigation in a randomised controlled trial. leer más
Vascularized composite allotransplantation opens new possibilities in reconstructive transplantation such as hand or face transplants. Lifelong immunosuppression and its side-effects are the main drawbacks of this procedure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have clinically useful immunomodulatory effects and may be able to reduce the burden of chronic immunosuppression. Herein, we assess and compare characteristics and immunomodulatory capacities of bone marrow- and adipose tissue-derived MSCs isolated from the same human individual across defined human leukocyte antigen (HLA) barriers. leer más
Several alloplastic biomaterials are available for injection to the breast, nevertheless not all of them are approved for biomedical use. Although in North America and Western Europe experience with synthetic biomaterials for breast augmentation is very limited, migratory streams might expose physicians worldwide to manage the related complications of these procedures. The aim of this study was to share with other surgeons the case of a patient presenting complications after breast augmentation with an unknown synthetic substance containing methacrylate. leer más
Because of immigration, female genital mutilation (FGM) is an issue of increasing concern in western countries. Nevertheless operators without a specific training may ignore the health condition of women subjected to this practice and fail to provide them adequate assistance. The purpose of the study was to estimate the current knowledge about FGM among social and health care assistants working with asylum seeker. leer más
