Fat Grafting for Burns
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial investigates whether using a person's own fat tissue (Autologous Point-of-Care Adipose Therapy) can heal severe burns or soft-tissue injuries more effectively than traditional methods. The trial focuses on whether immediate fat grafting, combined with a skin graft, improves healing, reduces scarring, and lowers infection risk. Participants will receive either the new treatment or standard care for comparison. Ideal candidates are those with serious burns or skin loss on the face, neck, or limbs who have been advised to undergo reconstructive surgery. As an unphased trial, this study provides participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance future treatment options.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that this adipose-based therapeutic strategy is safe for treating full-thickness soft-tissue trauma wounds?
Research has shown that using a patient's own body fat for treatment, known as autologous fat grafting, is generally well-tolerated. Studies indicate that this method can be safe for treating soft-tissue wounds like burns. Since the fat comes from the patient's own body, the risk of rejection or allergic reaction is lower.
Previous patients have reported few side effects, with common ones including temporary swelling or bruising where the fat was taken or placed. Serious side effects are rare.
This method remains under study, but current evidence suggests it is a safe option for those with severe burns or tissue loss. It is important to consult medical professionals to better understand individual circumstances.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about Autologous Point-of-Care Adipose Therapy because it introduces a new way to enhance healing for burn injuries. Unlike standard treatments, which typically focus on skin grafts alone, this method involves using the patient's own fat as a grafting layer. This approach not only aims to improve the cosmetic and functional outcomes by reducing contour irregularities, adhesions, and contractures but also potentially speeds up recovery. By layering fat grafts under traditional skin grafts, the treatment offers a novel mechanism that could lead to better integration and healing of the grafted skin.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for burn wounds?
Research has shown that using autologous fat grafting can help heal and improve scars from burns and other injuries. This trial will evaluate one arm using autologous fat grafting combined with Split Thickness Skin Graft (STSG) reconstruction. Studies have found that this method can aid in wound healing, reduce scarring, and enhance the skin's appearance and function. Some patients have reported greater satisfaction with their scars' appearance after this treatment. However, not all studies agree; one study found it did not improve mature burn scars in children. Overall, early evidence suggests this therapy might be beneficial for certain types of burn and injury scars.12356
Who Is on the Research Team?
Francesco Egro
Principal Investigator
University of Pittsburgh
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with full-thickness soft-tissue trauma, such as severe burns or significant tissue loss. Participants should have recent injuries that might benefit from advanced wound healing techniques. The study excludes those who may not be suitable due to specific medical conditions or factors determined by the researchers.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive immediate autologous adipose and autologous layered composite grafting for acute functional soft-tissue reconstruction
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of graft take, healing, and scar appearance
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Autologous Point-of-Care Adipose Therapy
Trial Overview
The study tests a new method of wound treatment using patients' own fat (autologous adipose) combined with skin grafting (Autologous Layered Composite Grafting). It compares this single-stage procedure against traditional methods to assess improvements in healing, scarring reduction, and infection prevention.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
In this Arm, the investigators will evaluate full thickness defects generated after fasciotomy, trauma debridement, and/or burn excision of the face, neck, or extremities. These wounds represent common, full-thickness injuries, which require prolonged recovery and dressing changes as bridge to either skin graft or delayed closure and commonly are associated with contour irregularities, adhesions, and contracture. The investigators will assess current standard of care dressing changes followed by base of wound fat graft with STSG reconstruction (Autologous Layered Composite Grafting).
In this Arm, the investigators will evaluate full thickness defects generated after fasciotomy, trauma debridement, and/or burn excision of the face, neck, or extremities. These wounds represent common, full-thickness injuries, which require prolonged recovery and dressing changes as bridge to either skin graft or delayed closure and commonly are associated with contour irregularities, adhesions, and contracture. The investigators will assess current standard of care dressing changes followed by immediate STSG.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine
Collaborator
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
Autologous Point-of-Care Adipose Therapy: Recent Injury
The goal of this study is to explore if an adipose-based therapeutic strategy can treat full-thickness soft-tissue trauma wounds in injured individuals, ...
Autologous fat grafting and adipose-derived stem cells ...
It is used successfully in cases such as improving radiation-induced skin damage[4], facilitating wound healing, promoting scar remodeling[5], and managing burn ...
Autologous Point-of-Care Adipose Therapy: Recent Injury
The goal of this study is to explore if an adipose-based therapeutic strategy can treat full-thickness soft-tissue trauma wounds in injured individuals, ...
Autologous fat grafting does not improve burn scar ...
Conclusions. Single treatment with autologous fat grafts did not improve mature pediatric burn scars when compared to normal saline injections.
The Utility of Fat Grafting to Manage Burn Scars
This systematic review suggests that autologous fat grafting and ADSCs show promising results for improving scar quality, function, and patient satisfaction ...
6.
trial.medpath.com
trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/dbe20752fa06cd96/autologous-adipose-therapy-skin-reconstructionAutologous Point-of-Care Adipose Therapy: Recent Injury
The goal of this study is to explore if an adipose-based therapeutic strategy can treat full-thickness soft-tissue trauma wounds in injured individuals, ...
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