Stem cell therapy now available in SA

Prof Frank Graewe – Adipose tissue is not only an unnecessary and unwanted problem area encroaching on our body image – it has many beneficial characteristics as well.
In fact, it is an extremely rich source of adipose derived stem cells (ADSC).
Adipose derived stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells that are multipotential. Multipotential refers to the ability of those stem cells to differentiate into a number of cells belonging to this cell family.
Beneficial characteristics have been applied to promote wound healing, to improve blood supply in tissue and many possible future applications based on its differentiation potential.
At the moment cell-enriched fat transfer is used in soft tissue filling and augmentation to improve graft take and cosmetic outcome. Typically this can involve lipofilling of the face for cosmetic improvement and facial atrophy, and in breast enlargement surgery to increase breast size without using prosthetic material or for breast augmentation after implant removal.
Other applications are wound healing and tissue improvement.
In breast reconstruction following cancer, the technique is vastly more successful than conventional fat grafting (lipomodeling).
Cell-enriched breast reconstruction uses the body’s own fat, enriched with adult adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs), to rebuild the breast’s contour following breast cancer surgery.
Fat is withdrawn via liposuction from the stomach, hips, thighs, or other areas determined to provide the necessary tissue. A portion of this tissue is processed to extract stem and regenerative cells that naturally live within the tissue.
The cells are then combined with another sample of fat, forming a cell-enriched fat graft, which is used to correct breast defects or asymmetry.
In our practice we see many patients that have skin changes after post mastectomy breast irradiation. Treatment with cell-enriched fat can improve those conditions. It has also been used successfully in the treatment of chronic wounds.
*Prof Frank Graewe is a professor of the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital and also runs a private practice. He visits the Paramount Healthcare Centre in Windhoek on a rotational basis.