All about Stromal Vascular Fraction or SVF

Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is a component of the lipoaspirate obtained from Fat harvest – that is the light suction of excess adipose tissue from immediately beneath the skin. The lipoaspirate contains a large population of stem cells called adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as well as fat and fluids. The ADSCs share a number of similarities with bone marrow stem cells, including the capacity for multilineage differentiation. Such multipotential mesenchyme cells have the potential to be signalled to become many different cell types.

For the past decade,  aesthetic & reconstructive surgeons have safely and effectively utilised autologous fat grafting to provide structural augmentation of the subcutaneous adipose layers and a variety of related issues,  including treatment of facial ageing, chronic wound healing, improvement of radiation damage and hypertrophic scars, breast augmentation/reconstruction, as well as treatment for inflammatory and degenerative orthopaedic conditions.

What are SVF cells used for?

SVF cells have potential regenerative abilities and can support neovascularisation and replace or repair cells in the body. They can, therefore, improve blood circulation, aid healing from traumatic injuries and have the potential to treat the wear and tear of cells caused by ageing.

As SVF cells contain a high concentration of stem cells, SVF therapy serves as a regenerator of sports injuries or injuries that occurred from accidents. It is of great help when there is damage to the joints, muscles, bones, cartilage and even nerves.

SVF Processing Method

SVF cells are typically obtained through fat harvest techniques and contain various cell types. This includes mesenchymal and endothelial progenitor cells, adipose-derived stem cells, leukocyte subtypes, vascular smooth muscle cells and lymphatic cells. SVF cells are produced to contain a reproducible and composition of complex cells.

There are two main areas where SVF and stem cells are found: Adipose tissue (fat) and bone marrow. Generally, extracting SVF cells from adipose tissue is preferable because the area and method of collection are more accessible and cause less discomfort in patients than extracting bone marrow. In addition, the number of cells and their viability are twice the concentration of that in bone marrow.

SVF procedure

It is performed through a manual fat harvest using low-pressure liposuction, usually in the abdominal area using local anaesthesia. A small sample of 50cc of fat tissue is often enough for facial aesthetics.

Once harvested, the stromal vascular fraction with adult stem cells is separated from the fat cells, macrophages, and additional tissue components via centrifugation.  The stem cells from the SVF are then isolated using multi-filtration or further centrifugation until a small 5 ml volume of the SVF or stem cell-rich solution is prepared, this is then very judiciously carefully injected into the tissues. Special focus is paid to the central facial areas (upper lip, peri-oral area) that are not well served by facelift surgery but are often the first to demonstrate the lines, wrinkles and deflation of ageing. 

Situations where SVF can be applied: