New Hope for Stubborn Wounds That Won't Close

Skin Fistulas: When Wounds Refuse to Heal Despite Treatment

A skin fistula is an abnormal tunnel that forms between an internal organ or surgical site and the skin surface. These troublesome wounds can develop after surgery or trauma. The real problem is scar tissue—it creates a barrier that blocks the body's natural healing process. Even with good blood supply, these wounds can remain open for months or even years, causing ongoing discomfort and frustration for patients.

Researchers Test Fat-Based Treatment on Seven Difficult Cases

A surgical team in Switzerland studied seven patients with chronic non-healing skin fistulas. These wounds had been open for four to eight months despite standard treatments. The researchers used Lipogems®, a technology that processes fat tissue from the patient's own body into tiny healing clusters. These clusters are packed with regenerative cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and pericytes (helper cells that support blood vessel repair).

Six of Seven Patients Achieved Complete Fistula Closure

The results were encouraging. Six out of seven patients experienced complete healing of their fistulas after treatment. Only one case did not respond to the procedure. This represents an 86 percent success rate for wounds that had resisted healing for many months through conventional approaches.

How the Treatment Works: Unlocking Your Body's Healing Power

The Lipogems® process takes fat tissue harvested from the patient's own body and gently breaks it into tiny clusters about 0.3 millimeters in size. This micro-fragmentation is key to the treatment's effectiveness. The process increases the active healing surface by roughly six thousand times compared to regular fat tissue.

These tiny clusters contain MSCs that release powerful healing signals. These signals include:

• Anti-inflammatory substances that calm irritated tissue

• Anti-fibrotic factors that break down scar tissue barriers

• Substances that promote new blood vessel growth

• Natural pain-relieving compounds

Unlike some laboratory methods that destroy fat tissue to extract cells, Lipogems® keeps the natural structure intact. This preserves the tiny blood vessels surrounded by pericytes—the cells that transform into MSCs when needed for healing.

A Same-Day Procedure Using Your Own Tissue

The treatment is performed using the patient's own fat tissue (called "autologous"), eliminating concerns about donor rejection. Fat is collected through a gentle procedure similar to liposuction. The tissue is then processed in a closed device that washes away blood and inflammatory debris. The entire process can be completed during a single outpatient visit.

The researchers note that fat tissue contains about five times more MSCs than bone marrow. This makes it an abundant and easily accessible source of regenerative cells. The gentle mechanical processing—rather than harsh chemical methods—ensures these healing cells remain active and effective.

What This Means for Patients With Non-Healing Wounds

This study adds to growing evidence that micro-fragmented fat tissue can help heal stubborn wounds. While the study was small, the high success rate is promising for patients who have exhausted other options. The treatment offers a minimally invasive approach using the body's own healing resources.

For patients considering this treatment, it's important to discuss your specific situation with a qualified medical provider. They can help determine whether Lipogems® might be appropriate for your condition based on your overall health and wound characteristics.

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Source: De Monti et al., Science Repository, 2022.