Potential of mesenchymal stem cell applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

: Novel therapy with mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue, or other sources has raised high hopes for treatment of a variety of diseases. For plastic and reconstructive surgery, first pilot studies and clinical trials using stem cells for treatment of chronic wounds, radiation injury, or soft tissue augmentation have furnished encouraging results compared with the limitations of standard therapy, for example autologous fat grafting. Further research must be conducted to reveal the complex physiological interactions between activated stem cells and the host environment. Long-term effects and safety aspects of these novel treatment options also require randomized controlled studies. For future clinical applications, guidelines and standardized procedures for stem cell isolation and preparation, and techniques for application must be established.