AUTOLOGOUS FAT GRAFTING IN THE TREATMENT OF FACIAL SCLERODERMA: A SINGLE - CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive cutaneous and internal organ fibrosis. Orofacial manifestations are disabling and treatment options are limited. Fat Tissue Grafting (FTG) can be used for treating facial manifestations of the fibrosis. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of FGT of our cohort of patients with SSc. Methods: We enrolled 20 SSc (18 W, 2 M) patients, from 2016 to 2019, suffering from facial sclerosis and restricted mouth opening capacity. FTG was carried out in accord with modified Colemans’ procedure (1): fat tissue was taken from periumbilical or trochanteric areas and was injected in 8 different points around the mouth. No side effects or adverse reactions have been documented. Evaluations included mouth opening capacity by measuring interincisal distance, oral functionality (MHISS scale) and patient global satisfaction (by Global Health scale). Results: A 11 mm (8 - 18mm range) median increase of interincisal distance was reported at month 6 and in 80% of patients at month 12, too (p Conclusion: Our results showed that FTG improved mouth opening capacity and that aesthetic and functional results were satisfying to about 90% of the patients; long-term effects of this type of treatment are currently unknown. However, our and litterature data at 12 months follow-up seems to confirm the benefits in long term, despite the filling effect is over. This study – that’s one of the largest case series described right now (2) - supports the possible therapeutic role of autologous FTG in improving facial scleroderma both in aesthetic and in functional aspects. References: [1]Coleman SR. Structural fat grafting: more than a permanent filler. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006; 118: 108S-20S [2]Fat Grafting for the Treatment of Scleroderma.Strong AL, Rubin JP, Kozlow JH, Cederna PS. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019 Dec;144(6):1498-1507. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000006291. Disclosure of Interests: None declared