Efficacy and Safety of Stromal Vascular Fraction in the Treatment of Tear Trough Deformity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) grafting is an effective method to correct tear trough deformity. Nevertheless, the quantitative data of satisfactory rate and complications of SVF compared with normal autologous fat graft (AFG) remain unemployed. The aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesize the current quantitative data on satisfactory rate and complications of tear trough deformity correction with SVF and normal AFG.

A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. All studies evaluating AFG or SVF in the treatment of tear through deformity were included. Then, data were extracted and analyzed using single-arm meta-analysis. The satisfactory rates and complication rates of different techniques were compared. A subgroup analysis was performed according to the specific AFG techniques used.

A total of 20 literatures comprising 2372 participants were included. Five studied SVF and 15 studied other AFGs. The pooled satisfaction rate of AFG was 94.9% (95% CI 92.2–97.7%, I² = 65%). A total of 154 cases reported complications. Most common complications were skin winkle 26 cases (16.88%), fat under-correction 24 cases (15.58%) and subcutaneous induration 18 cases (11.69%) (Table 2). The pooled complication rate of AFG was 10.1% (95% CI 4.6–15.6%, I² = 92%). The pooled complication rate of SVF was 1.5% (95% CI 0–15.6%, I² = 0%).

Satisfaction rates for both normal AFG and SVF were generally high, with mostly minor complications observed. The incidence of complications with SVF was lower than with normal AFG, and severe complications were rare.

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