First of all, it is necessary to explain what a stem cell is. Stem cells are cells that have the capacity to multiply rapidly and transform into the cells we need and do their job. Some stem cells can develop into very different cells, while others can develop into only a few cell types. Since there are still some unexplored areas in stem cells, in today’s medical practice, the clinical use of stem cells that can transform into these few cell types is allowed. Unfortunately, we cannot replace all the missing tissues with stem cells.
These stem cells, which we use in the clinic, can be obtained by basically two methods. One of them is bone marrow and the other is our fat tissues. There is a high percentage of stem cells in the bone marrow responsible for the formation of our blood cells. It is also possible to obtain stem cells from adipose tissue in a way that is close to bone marrow and even numerically superior.
We use the stem cells we use in our clinic for the healing of some connective tissue cells, small vessels, and tissues such as bone and cartilage.
In order to accelerate and increase bone and cartilage healing, orthopedic surgeons often get help from stem cells, apart from plastic surgery.
Since it increases connective tissue and vascularization, the use of stem cells in plastic surgery, especially in aesthetic surgeries, is becoming increasingly common. Stem cells are cells that increase tissue healing and tissue quality when applied to desired areas. For this reason, the application of these treatments together with surgery or application in applications such as face lift and skin rejuvenation both accelerates the recovery and helps the result obtained to be better and more permanent.
Another advantage of stem cells is that they reduce the melting of some of the fat cells in fat injection surgeries, since they increase vascularity. When stem cells are mixed with the oil to be injected, it is called “stem cell enriched oil”. The melting rates of these oils are much less when compared to normal fat injection. Therefore, more successful results can be obtained.
Stem cell applications are also accepted methods to be used in diseases where some vascular problems such as lymphedema surgeries, diabetic foot wounds and Burger’s disease are seen.