Abstract
BACKGROUND: Surgical methods using implants were broadly selected for breast augmentation surgery until recently; however, owing to several associated problems, fat transplantation using adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ADSCs) has been suggested as an alternative. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the clinical benefits of fat transplantation using ADSCs for breast augmentation. METHODS: The clinical effects were investigated in 105 patients who underwent breast augmentation with ADSCs and fat transplantation. Liposuction was performed in the abdominal and/or thigh regions; ADSCs were isolated from the fat, mixed with refined fat, and transplanted into each breast; and changes in the breast volume were measured. RESULTS: The average increase in breast volume was approximately 185 mL at 2 weeks after operation. Fat engraftment rates were 85.1, 75.1, and 73.7% of augmented volumes after 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. A total of 39 patients who received >60 million ADSCs exhibited a transplanted fat engraftment rate of 90.5% (average increase, 162 mL), whereas this rate was 68.9% (average increase, 115 mL) in 31 patients who received <60 million ADSCs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that breast augmentation with ADSCs and fat transplantation is effective. Surgical outcomes substantially improved with increased numbers of implanted ADSCs.