Liposuction aspirate fluid-ASCs injection and secondary healing in fingertip injury, a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Although fingertip injuries account for a high proportion of trauma patients, the correct surgical approach is still debated. This prospective study compares the traditional conservative approach and a new treatment based on the injection of liposuction aspirate fluid (LAF). METHODS: 40 consecutive patients with a fingertip injury were dichotomized into group A (control group: conservative approach) and B (treatment group). Group B underwent liposuction, followed by filtration of the lipoaspirate in a closed device (MyStemEvo®kit), allowing the nonenzymatic separation of LAF, which was then injected at injured site. Objective outcomes were time for healing, strength, mobility of joint, touch and sensory function. Subjective outcomes were cold intolerance, pain, hand disability and aesthetic result. An aliquot of LAF was sent to the laboratory for cellular isolation and analysis by flow cytometry and in vitro differentiation assays. RESULTS: The average number of days for healing was 22,3 days in group B and 24,9 in group A (p