Ginger C. Slack

Fat Grafting Versus Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Therapy: Distinguishing Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes

With adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) at the forefront of research and potential clinical applications, it is important that clinicians be able to distinguish them from the fat grafting currently used clinically and to understand how the two approaches relate to one another. At times, there has been confusion in clinically considering the two therapies to be the same. This report is aimed at distinguishing clearly between fat grafting and ASC therapy with regard to the indications, harvesting, processing, application techniques, outcomes, and complications. Findings have shown that autologous fat transfer, a widely used procedure for soft tissue augmentation, is beneficial for reconstructive and cosmetic procedures used to treat patients with volume loss due to disease, trauma, congenital defects, or the natural process of aging. On the other hand, ASCs have been identified as an ideal source of cells for regenerative medicine, with the potential to serve as soft tissue therapy for irradiated, scarred, or chronic wounds. Recent advances in tissue engineering suggest that the supplementation of fat grafts with ASCs isolated in the stromal vascular fraction may increase the longevity and quality of the fat graft. Research suggests that ASC supplementation may be a great clinical tool in the future, but more data should be acquired before clinical applications.

Parry-Romberg reconstruction: beneficial results despite poorer fat take.

ObjectiveFor the treatment of Parry-Romberg syndrome or progressive hemifacial atrophy, we studied the volume retention and skin changes after autologous fat grafts within diseased regions. Summary Background DataThe long-term survival and volume retention of fat grafts used in soft tissue reconstruction of Parry-Romberg syndrome is still unknown, as are skin changes after fat grafting. MethodsSex, age, severity of deformity, number of procedures, operative times, and augmentation volumes were recorded. Preoperative/postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomographic scans were also reviewed. A digital 3-dimensional photogrammetry system was used to determine “final fat take” and symmetry. Romberg fat grafting volumes were compared to nonaffected, cosmetic fat-grafted patients. For skin changes, a spectrophotometer was used to quantify percent improvement in melanin index. Physician and patient satisfaction surveys (5-point scale) were elicited, including overall outcome and skin color/texture. ResultsThe mean number of procedures correlated to the severity of deformity: mild, 1.8 procedures; moderate, 3.4; and severe, 5.2. With Romberg patients, fat grafting injected: per case, 48 mL; total, 188 mL; and final measured volume, 101 mL. Romberg patients had less “fat take” than nonaffected grafted patients (final take, 41% vs 81%). Skin color/texture showed 3-fold improvement after fat grafting procedures. The mean melanin index improvement seen in the diseased regions of Romberg patients after fat grafting was 42% (+3%). Skin color and texture improvement was also shown in patient surveys (preoperative = 2.4 + 0.06 to follow-up = 3.4 + 0.09) and physician (preoperatively = 2.1 + 0.1 to follow-up = 3.6 + 0.1). ConclusionsDespite poorer fat graft take within the disease region of Romberg patients, fat grafting resulted in long-term improvement in hypoplasia and skin hyperpigmentation.

Maxillary hypoplasia in the cleft patient: contribution of orthodontic dental space closure to orthognathic surgery.

Background: Cleft lip and palate surgery in the developing child is known to be associated with maxillary hypoplasia. However, the effects of nonsurgical manipulations on maxillary growth have not been well investigated. The authors present the contribution of orthodontic dental space closure with canine substitution to maxillary hypoplasia and the need for orthognathic surgery. Methods: Cleft lip/palate and cleft palate patients older than 15 years of age were reviewed for dental anomalies, orthodontic canine substitution, and Le Fort I advancement. Skeletal relationships of the maxilla to the skull base (SNA), mandible (ANB), and facial height were determined on lateral cephalograms. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios. Results: Ninety-five patients were reviewed (mean age, 18.1 years). In 65 patients with congenitally missing teeth, 55 percent with patent dental spaces required Le Fort I advancement. In contrast, 89 percent who underwent canine substitution required Le Fort I advancement (p = 0.004). Canine substitution is associated with a statistically significant increase in maxillary retrognathia when compared with dental space preservation on lateral cephalograms (mean SNA, 75.2 and 79.0, respectively; p = 0.006). Adjusting for missing dentition, logistic regression analyses demonstrated that canine substitution is an independent predictor for orthognathic surgery (OR, 6.47) and maxillary retrusion defined by SNA < 78 (OR, 8.100). Conclusions: The coordination of orthodontia and surgery is essential to cleft care. The authors report a strong association between orthodontic cleft closure using canine substitution with maxillary hypoplasia and subsequent Le Fort I advancement, and suggest systematic criteria for management of cleft-related dental agenesis. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Parry-Romberg reconstruction: optimal timing for hard and soft tissue procedures.

AbstractFor the treatment of Parry-Romberg syndrome or progressive hemifacial atrophy, we studied 3 controversial issues: (1) optimal timing, (2) need for skeletal reconstruction, and (3) need for soft tissue (medial canthus/lacrimal duct) reconstruction. Patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome (>5 y follow-up) were divided into 2 groups: (1) younger than 14 years and (2) 14 years or older (n = 43). Sex, age, severity of deformity, number of procedures, operative times, and augmentation fat volumes were recorded. Physician and patient satisfaction surveys (5-point scale) were obtained, preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional computed tomographic scans were reviewed, and a digital three-dimensional photogrammetry system was used to determine volume retention. Our results indicate that the younger patient group required more procedures compared with the older patient group (4.3 versus 2.8); however, the younger group had higher patient/family satisfaction scores (3.8 versus 3.0). Skeletal and soft tissue reconstruction resulted in improved symmetry score (60% preoperatively to 93% final) and satisfaction scores (3.4 preoperatively to 3.8 final). Patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome required multiple corrective surgeries but showed improvements even when beginning before puberty. Soft and hard tissue reconstruction was beneficial.

Necessity of latency period in craniofacial distraction: Investigations with in vitro microdistractor and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND To determine the need for latency period in membranous bone distraction, we performed 1) in vitro comparison of preosteoblasts suspended in a 3D microdistraction model and 2) a clinical study comparing mandibular distraction cases with/without latency. METHODS In the In Vitro study, Preosteoblasts polymerized in 3D-collagen gel were placed in a microdistractor and separated into three groups: 1) distraction with latency, 2) distraction without latency, and 3) static. After 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, cell proliferation, total protein levels, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteogenic gene expression were assessed through RT-PCR. In the clinical study, patients underwent mandibular distraction in two groups: 1) latency and 2) no latency (n = 45). The rest of the distraction protocol was identical. Outcome was based on clinical examination, radiographs at six months, and 3D CT scans. RESULTS In the In Vitro study, The distraction without latency group compared to the latency group had delays in: proliferation, total protein count, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteogenic gene expression in CBFA-1 (fourfold vs. eighteenfold), and in osteocalcin (twofold vs. sixfold). The distraction without latency group had higher apoptotic levels during the first four days compared to the latency group (68% vs. 14%). For the clinical study, similar perioperative complications (5% vs. 6%), X-ray mineralization (93% vs. 94%), bone volume, (8.6 vs. 9.1 cc) and bone density of central distraction zone (78% vs. 81%) were observed with or without latency. CONCLUSIONS In vitro studies showed poorer results in cell survival, proliferation and osteogenic activity compared to distraction with latency; yet, clinically, there were no differences in distraction with latency versus without.