This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intradermal injection of Nanofat on wound healing and scar formation.
In this monocentric, randomized, controlled, double-blinded prospective interventional study, twenty patients will be included. Each patient will be his/her own control. Patients undergoing DIEPflap breast reconstruction will be included in this study. During the surgery, the abdominal incision will be divided in two equal sides with the umbilicus as midline reference. The sides will be randomized in a treatment side and control side. The treatment side will receive intradermal nanofat injections after the subcutaneous and right before the intradermal sutures. The patient and investigators will be blinded for the treatment protocol. The effects on wound healing, adverse events, scar formation and pigmentation will be evaluated up to one year after the surgery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
15
Lipoaspirate, harvested during the surgery, is centrifuged for 1 minute at 2000 rpm to discard infiltration fluid. The residual fat is passed back and forth between two 10cc syringes interlocked with Tulip connecting pieces (2.4, 1.4 and 1.2 diameter, each 10 passes for a total of 30 passes). This is injected intradermally before the intradermal sutures are placed. The donor site is always entirely sutured (both sides) by the same person.
Clinical outcome of the abdominal scar by the use of Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale
The abdominal scar will be evaluated clinically by the patient and observer scar assessment scale, starting from one month after the surgery
Time frame: one year
Clinical assessment of the time to healing of the abdominal wound
The time for the abdominal wound to heal will be registered. Wound healing is considered a closed and non-dehiscent wound witout signs of inflammation or infection.
Time frame: one month
Evaluation of histological parameters on tissue biopsy from both sides of the abdominal scar.
Evaluation of the histological differences of the treatment arm vs. control, by evaluating scar properties on tissue biopsy. Scar thickness, collagen arrangement and angiogenesis will be evaluated.
Time frame: six months
Pigmentation Index of the two sides of the scar, measured with a Mexameter
Evaluation of the Pigmentation Index difference in the treatment arm vs. control arm will be measured by the use of a mexameter, starting from one month after the procedure (after wound healing is complete).
Time frame: one year
Patient satisfaction of abdominal scar appearance measured by a Visual Analog Scale
Evaluation of patient satisfaction over the entire course of the study by filling in a Visual Analog Scale, with 1 being very unsatisfied and 10 being very satisfied.
Time frame: one year
Rate of adverse events
Registration of the rate of adverse events appearing at the abdominal wound/abdominal scar
Time frame: One year
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