STEM CELL THERAPY FROM ABDOMINAL FAT TISSUE (SVF - Stromal Vascular Fraction)
What is stem cell therapy?
SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) is a stem cell therapy obtained from fat tissue.
Stem cells are found in many regions of our body. These are bone marrow-derived and fat tissue-derived stem cells. The fat tissue that is richest in terms of stem cells is found especially in the abdominal region.
In the stem cell preparations obtained with SVF, the viability rate is approximately 99.4% and the number of live cells per microliter is 560.80. They consist of cells with stem cell qualities that are rich in CD14, CD34 and CD45.
When any damaged tissue occurs in the body, these cells become active and enable tissue repair and regeneration.
How are stem cells obtained?
Generally, under sedation or general anesthesia in operating room conditions, a small liposuction operation is performed, and fat is taken through an incision of about 1 centimeter from the abdominal region, which is rich in stem cells.
Afterward, in a sterile environment using special kits and devices, the stem cells within the fat tissue are separated, and the tissue rich in stem cells is made ready for application.
The total time for administering anesthesia to the patient, harvesting fat tissue from the abdominal region, and separating the stem cells is 1.5 hours.
What are the areas of use for stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapy has many areas of use. It is a solution for many diseases, especially in orthopedics. For this reason, it is a method that has begun to be used frequently in the treatment of diseases today.
We can list its areas of use in orthopedics as follows:
- Osteoarthritis of the joints
- Cartilage damage
- Shoulder tendon tears
- Tennis elbow
- Cruciate ligament injuries
- Heel spur
- Sports injuries
- Meniscus tears
What are the advantages of stem cell therapy?
Stem cell application has more than one advantage. If we list the advantages of stem cell therapy:
1. Since it is obtained from the person’s own fat tissue, there is no risk of side effects.
2. Fast and long-lasting results are obtained.
3. It contains no synthetic components.
4. Harvesting fat tissue is an easier procedure than harvesting bone marrow.
5. Compared to other stem cell therapies, the component obtained from fat tissue is richer in stem cells. This increases the success rate and effectiveness of the treatment.
6. The treatment time is very short and does not require hospital admission; it is a same-day procedure.
7. There is no restriction in the joints, and patients return to their daily lives immediately after the procedure.
8. When done at the right time, it eliminates the course leading to surgical treatments.
Does stem cell therapy have disadvantages?
The disadvantages of stem cell therapy are almost negligible. The only disadvantage of stem cell application is that some patients may experience pain, bruising, and firmness in the abdominal region for 3-5 days. In the joints where the procedure is applied, a feeling of fullness lasting about a week may occur.
Is there pain in stem cell application?
No pain at all is felt during the stem cell procedure.
Is stem cell application permanent?
Stem cell therapy is not a permanent procedure, but if the recommendations given by doctors are followed, its durability can last up to 5 years.
Is there stem cell therapy other than from fat tissue?
Apart from fat tissue, the most commonly used stem cell source is bone marrow. Although bone marrow contains fewer stem cells compared to fat tissue, more effective results emerge when it is combined with fat tissue-derived stem cells. Stem cells can be taken from the iliac bone (pelvic bone) in the same session through the 1 centimeter incision made while taking abdominal fat tissue; no separate incision is needed.
Note: This text is for informational purposes; please follow your physician’s advice regarding your health condition.
