Evaluating the effectiveness of stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) cells along with subcision method in the treatment of acne scars: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial study.

Background: Subcision method is one of the main techniques for treatment of acne scars or stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) and combined therapy can improve treatment strategy.

Objective: To use subcision method along with SVF for treatment of acne scar and comprised with alone subcision method.

Materials And Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 10 patients with acne scars were entered into the study. Subcision technique was randomly performed on one side of the face and subcision technique plus SVF on opposite side of the face. All patients were examined before treatment and after 3 months by Visioface for volume, area, and depth of scars, as well as thickness and density of the epidermis and dermis of the scars in question. In addition, doctor's and patients' satisfaction, tolerability, and safety were determined after 3 months of treatment. Finally, statistical analysis was done by SPPS, version 25.

Results: In terms of volume and area of scars, the mean percent change was 46.55 ± 13.92 and 44.60 ± 5.76, for the case group, and 13.31 ± 9.27 and 11.28 ± 9.64 for the control group, respectively. So, combined therapy led to significant recovery compared with alone subcision method (p value < 0.001). In both interventions, the increase of density and thickness was proven after treatment, also a significant difference in complete, epidermal, and dermal thickness and epidermal density variables was observed between combined therapy and alone subcision (p value < 0.05). Mean score of doctor's and patients' satisfaction in combined therapy (7.10 ± 0.74 and 7.10 ± 0.99, respectively), was also significantly higher than subcision alone (5.50 ± 0.53 and 5.30 ± 1.25, respectively). Finally, no complications were observed in the patients.

Conclusion: According to the acquired results, combined therapy can be considered as effective and safe treatment for acne scars with significant higher efficacy compared with subcision alone.