Liposuction Aspirate Fluid Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Injection and Secondary Healing in Fingertip Injury: A Pilot Study

Background: Although fingertip injuries account for a high proportion of trauma patients, the correct surgical approach is still debated. The authors compared the traditional conservative approach and a new treatment based on the injection of liposuction aspirate fluid. Methods: Forty consecutive patients with a fingertip injury were dichotomized into group A (control group; conservative approach) and group B (treatment group). Group B underwent liposuction, followed by filtration of the lipoaspirate in a closed device (MyStem EVO kit), allowing the nonenzymatic separation of liposuction aspirate fluid, which was then injected at the site of injury. Objective outcomes were time for healing, strength, mobility of joint, and touch and sensory function. Subjective outcomes were cold intolerance, pain, hand disability, and aesthetic result. An aliquot of liposuction aspirate fluid was sent to the laboratory for cellular isolation and analysis by flow cytometry and in vitro differentiation assays. Results: The average healing time was 22.3 days in group B and 24.9 days in group A ( p < 0.05). Eighty-five percent of group B patients and 67 percent of group A patients scored normal to diminished superficial sensibility ( p < 0.05). Group A had higher pain and cold intolerance scores ( p < 0.05). Group B scored greater aesthetic and disabilities outcome results ( p < 0.05). The cell isolation yield was 8.3 × 10 5 /ml, with a percentage of viable cells of 74.3 percent. Flow cytometry identified a mesenchymal immunophenotype, and in vitro osteogenic and adipogenic induction confirmed the bilinear potential of the isolated cells. Conclusion: This clinical study demonstrates for the first time the regenerative potential of liposuction aspirate fluid adipose-derived stem cells in a clinical application. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.