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Ghosh et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2024;11:50 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2024.70
Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Cell-supplemented autologous fat grafting: a review
from bench to bedside

Kanad Ghosh, Ronak A. Patel, Summer E. Hanson

Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, IL 60631, US.
Correspondence to: Dr. Summer E. Hanson, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences
Division, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60631. E-mail: Sehanson@bsd.uchicago.edu

How to cite this article: Ghosh K, Patel RA, Hanson SE. Cell-supplemented autologous fat grafting: a review from bench to
bedside. Plast Aesthet Res 2024;11:50. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2024.70

Received: 6 May 2024 First Decision: 29 Jul 2024 Revised: 14 Aug 2024 Accepted: 21 Sep 2024 Published: 15 Oct 2024

Academic Editors: Roberto Cuomo, Raymund E. Horch Copy Editor: Yu-Fei Wang Production Editor: Yu-Fei Wang

Abstract
Autologous fat grafting is routinely used in plastic and reconstructive surgery to improve contour deformities and
appearance. However, retention of fat over time is inconsistent and unpredictable. Cell-assisted lipostransfer
(CAL), the practice of using stem cell-containing portions of adipose to enrich fat grafts, has been found to be a
promising area of research to increase not only the retention of volume but also increase collagen production,
enhance angiogenesis, and direct the overall repair, remodeling, and regeneration of the recipient site. CAL,
therefore, has a multitude of clinical applications, ranging from oncologic reconstruction following radiation to
facial rejuvenation, among others. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the current state of cell-
supplemented fat transfer and discuss our understanding of cellular interactions in enriched fat grafts, techniques
to improve the viability of fat, clinical translation of CAL, regulatory oversight, and future directions.

Keywords: Cell-assisted lipotransfer, adipose-derived stem cells, autologous fat grafting, regenerative medicine

INTRODUCTION
Fat grafting has become an increasingly common procedure in the realm of both cosmetic and
reconstructive plastic surgery. First described by Neuber et al. in 1893 for the volumetric filling of defects,
[1,2]
the procedure has since gone through over a century of development and innovation . A vast majority of
progress occurred following the advent of liposuction in the late 20th century, which allowed for a more

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
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