Upcoming Webinar
Best Practices in Fat Grafting
Date: Monday, April 30, 2012
Time: 4:15-5pm PST
Internationally-recognized plastic surgeon, Steven R. Cohen, MD, FACS will host an interactive discussion on the best practices in the rapidly developing fat grafting marketplace. Hear an overview of current techniques and products, and learn about the standard-of-care Puregraft®, a closed system meeting hospital sterility requirements and providing consistent, high-quality grafts that give you more control over your patients’ outcomes.
New Advances in the Biology of Fat Grafting Allow San Diego Plastic Surgeon Dr. Steven Cohen to Perform Natural Breast Augmentation through Fat Injection Under Local Anesthesia; New Advances in StemCell Enhanced Facelift Surgery May Improve Outcomes in Facial Rejuvenation.
The use of fat (adipose) tissue and eventually, adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRC’s) present a new option in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. The application of fat has potential benefits in breast augmentation, facial cosmetics, breast reconstruction and contour deformities from a variety of acquired and congenital disorders. Using a new technology for fat preparation, PureGraft enables the physician to purify a fat graft and remove excess ‘graft fluid’ in a controllable manner on the sterile field. This is accomplished without centrifugation or other motorized methods. The fat is added to the system and 15 minutes later, free lipid, blood cells, infusion chemicals and excess fluid are removed. PureGraft technology ‘dialyzes’ off everything but the pure fat tissue.
“PureGraft is an FDA-cleared device that is indicated for cosmetic ‘body contouring’ procedures using autologous fat grafts,” stated Marc H. Hedrick, M.D., President of Cytori. “Although PureGraft is simple to use, the technology behind it is unique. PureGraft selectively filters the graft using dialysis membranes in a process best called lipodialysis. We believe lipodialysis will be the new standard in fat graft preparation.” -Natural breast augmentation with your body’s own fat is the latest in breast enhancement procedures. Dr. Steven R. Cohen is one of a small number of early pioneers in this new technology that uses the patient’s own fat to create a natural filler for breast enhancement.
Cell Enhanced Breast Augmentation and Facial Rejuvenation with Fat Derived Stem and Regenerative Cells
Studies began in Europe in 2008 for Cell-Enhanced Reconstruction following partial mastectomy for breast cancer and studies are underway in Japan for breast augmentation as well as breast reconstruction. In 2003, Dr. Steven Cohen, along with Dr. Ralph Holmes were among the first surgeons in the world to use fat derived stem cells for facial cosmetic surgery in an IRB study. In the summer of 2008, Dr. Cohen visited Dr. Kamakura in Tokyo to learn the fundamentals of ADRC’s for use in breast augmentation. In February 2009, Dr. Kamakura and a team of physicians and nurses visited with Dr. Cohen at FACESplus to further establish an academic relationship. Dr. Steven Cohen is the first surgeon in the United States to use fat derived stem and regenerative cells for cosmetic surgery and has one of the largest experiences in the United States with these newer techniques. Dr. Cohen is presently studying the outcomes of these techniques under an IRB study protocol. Dr. Cohen is also one of the founders and is executive director of the Cell Society, an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of regenerative cell therapies. The Cell Society’s mission is to expand the global use of cell therapies in a number of medical specialties and to support the clinicians who use them. -The use of fat derived stem and regenerative cells may be indicated for patients considering:
- Facelift surgery and facial rejuvenation with fillers
- Facial reconstruction with or without a history of radiation
- Natural breast augmentation with 1-2 cup size enlargement
- Breast reconstruction for partial mastectomy with or without radiation
- Secondary breast procedures for capsular contraction, implant rippling and other complications related to breast implants
- Body contour concerns and defects
- Buttock augmentation
- HIV related lipoatrophy
- Read an exciting interview with Dr. Cohen on the potential for aesthetic and reconstructive regeneration through fat derived stem and regenerative cells
- For more information on how adult stem cells from fat work, please schedule a consultation.
The use of adipocyte derived regenerative and stem cells (ADRC’s) is not presently approved by the FDA. In addition, the major Plastic Surgery Societies have recently issued cautionary statements regarding the use of stem cells in cosmetic surgery. First of all, most surgeons claiming the use of stem cells are simply transferring fat and two, we really do not know the full implications of stem cells and there is particular concern of their use in the female breast. Although virtually all published data has indicated the safety of ADRC’s produced by standardized lab equipment, the data is still small (approximately 3500 patients have been operated on using this exact procedure and process). Nevertheless, there is compelling case report information in some areas of medicine including plastic surgery that demonstrate the effects of ADRC’s in radiation injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery and facial reconstruction as well as burns that make it necessary to continue to evaluate the potentially enormous benefits of using our bodies own repair and protective mechanisms to assist in reconstruction and repair.
In the summer of 2008, Dr. Cohen visited Tokyo to learn the fundamentals of ADRC’s for use in breast surgery for augmentation and reconstruction. Dr. Steven Cohen and Dr. Ralph Holmes were the first surgeons in the United States to use fat derived stem and regenerative cells for cosmetic surgery and Dr. Cohen has one of the largest experiences in the United States with these newer techniques. Dr. Cohen is presently studying the outcomes of these techniques under an IRB study protocol. Dr. Cohen is also one of the founders and is executive director of the Cell Society, an international, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of regenerative cell therapies. The Cell Society’s mission is to expand the global use of cell therapies in a number of medical specialties and to support the clinicians who use them.
FACESplus Plastic Surgery, Skin and Laser Center is a fully integrated, comprehensive cosmetic surgery center that prides itself in bringing the most advanced techniques to our patients. Dr. Steven Cohen and the staff at FACESplus strive to educate our patients on their choices, ranging from the least invasive, non-surgical care to comprehensive laser and surgical rejuvenation.
