Stem Cell Technique Provides A Groundbreaking
Option In Plastic Surgery
Author: Pichet Rodchareon

The advancement of plastic surgery is truly amazing. There is
no record of when exactly plastic surgery originated, but there
is evidence that suggests that plastic surgery has been around
for thousands of years. However, it became more popular around
the time of World War I. After that, steady growth and
miraculous leaps have been seen throughout the history. Plastic
surgery continues to evolve and improve and this continued
evolution has allowed millions of people to benefit from the
procedures both externally and internally. From silicone breast
implants, liposuction, face lift, botulinum toxin, to the very
recent stem cell therapy, the options are simply limitless.

Recently introduced as a way to treat physical disorders, stem
cell technique now takes on a big role in plastic surgery.
Scientists are working on a stem cell technique that will allow
women to grow their own natural breasts by implementing stem
cells that grow as the same type of fat cells found in breast
tissue. Breast implants grown from stem cells is believed to
provide a safer alternative to silicone or saline implants
which have been reported to cause infections. Stem cell
implants are also able to better retain their original shape,
as opposed to artificial implants which reduce the size as time
goes by.

Stem cell therapy also enables a non-surgical approach to
facial rejuvenation since stem cells can naturally and
effectively repair organs. Saraf S mentioned on "Role of Stem
Cells in Plastic Surgery" that the new technique of tissue
engineering is expected to revolutionize various aspects in
reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. When used for wrinkle
removal, the implants will retain their size and shape better
and longer than any other allogenic implant.

It has also been reported that they have the power to
self-renew and differentiate into skin and functioning hair
follicles. Multipotent stem cells are said to be capable of
developing into the many different cell types needed for hair
growth and follicle replacement. The method could one day be
used to regenerate hair on bald people or patients with severe
burns.

Chiefly, stem cells are derived from the bone marrow or the
blood. Stem cells can be stored at a stem cell bank for later
use as well. Alternatively, there has been an ongoing research
pointing to the enormous potential of using stem cells derived
from liposuction in cosmetic surgery, provided that the stem
cell is taken from fat before it has become a fat cell.

However, at this stage, stem cell therapy is only a bright,
shiny hope that has not been fully studied and approved. There
have been reports of side effects and unsuccessful treatments.
To date, only a handful of treatments have been licensed,
principally for treating leukemia, thalassemia, and eye and
skin disorders. More and longer term studies will be needed and
many questions remain to be answered.

About The Author: Dr Pichet Rodchareon writes for Bangkok
Plastic Surgery Clinic (http://www.bangkokplasticsurgery.com),
center of plastic and cosmetic surgery based in Bangkok,
Thailand.