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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2023; 56(04): 357-366
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771515
Original Article

Lipofilling—A Regenerative Alternate for Remodeling Burn Scars: A Clinico-Immunohistopathological Study

Bhojani Jatin
1   Department of Plastic, Burns & Maxillofacial Surgery, VM Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India
,
Durga Karki 
1   Department of Plastic, Burns & Maxillofacial Surgery, VM Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India
,
Charanjeet Ahluwalia
2   Department of Pathology, VM Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India
,
Vamseedharan Muthukumar 
1   Department of Plastic, Burns & Maxillofacial Surgery, VM Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India
,
Divyanjali Karki
3   School of Biosciences, Engineering and Technology, VIT Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Abstract

Introduction Any injury involving the dermis will lead to scarring. Scar tissue can cause functional limitations, cosmetic impairments, pain, and itch. Adipose-derived stem cells have also been shown to play a role in scar modulation. This study evaluates changes in lipofilled scar over the period of time and compares it with non-lipofilled scar tissue.

Materials and Methods A prospective case–control study with intraindividual follow-up was performed on 30 adult patients with post-burn scars from November 2016 to May 2019. Clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical parameters were assessed among the case and control regions of the scar.

Results Mean age of the study population was 30.6 years. The duration of the scar included in this study ranged from 1 to 28 years, with a mean duration of 5.91 years. There was a significant reduction in pain, itch, stiffness, and an increase in the pliability of the scar, and a substantial improvement in the modified Vancouver Scar Score in the lipofilled group. In histopathological analysis, the case group showed organized parallel collagen fibers, a significant reduction in melanocytes, improvement in vascularity, and a significantly increased amount of collagen fibers at the reticular dermis. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated new cell synthesis in the scar tissue and reduced melanocytes.

Conclusion The remodeling effect of adipocyte-derived stem cells is long-lasting, and there is a gradual improvement in most of the parameters. Lipofilling has regenerative capacity, which leads to the improved overall appearance of scar and improvement at the cellular level.

Keywords

burns - scars - lipofilling - fat grafting - immunohistopathology

Authors' Contribution

B.J., D.K. and C.A. were involved in conceptualization, designing, and drafting of the manuscript. V.M. and B.J. helped in drafting of the manuscript, and collection and analysis of data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.




Publication History

Article published online:
16 August 2023

© 2023. Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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