Autologous Fat Grafting for the Treatment of Non-Enteric Cutaneous Fistulas: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Autologous fat grafting is increasingly used in daily clinical practice across various surgical fields, including the treatment of chronic wounds, scars, burns, and non healing perianal fistulas. Recently, some studies have shown that non-enteric cutaneous fistulas can also benefit from adipose tissue injections, but the efficacy remains unclear. This study aims to systematically review the literature on fat grafting in the context of non enteric cutaneous fistulas and to assess treatment outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed/Medline database was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines up to January 2024 without restrictions on the time period or the language of publication. Results: Seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed, encompassing 13 patients with non-healing cutaneous fistulas treated with injections of autologous fat. The mean age of the patients was 58 ± 3 years, of which 85% had comorbidities. Fat grafting resulted in complete healing in 92% of the cases, with a mean fistula persistence of 158 days before treatment. Treatment protocols varied among patients, including preparation of the fistulous tract, fat processing techniques, and suturing of the fistulous orifice. Conclusions: The results highlight the potential of autologous fat grafting in promoting tissue regeneration and healing of non enteric cutaneous fistulas. Standardized protocols are essential to confirm and optimize treatment efficacy and, eventually, improve patient outcomes. Further research with a larger sample size and standardization is needed to confirm fat graft efficacy.