Fat Tissue Injection Restores Bowel Control in Five Patients

First study shows lasting improvements over two years

This small but important study followed five patients with fecal incontinence (loss of bowel control). All had tried other treatments without success. Researchers injected processed fat tissue from their own bodies into the anal sphincter muscles. The results showed meaningful improvements that lasted for at least two years.

Fecal incontinence often results from childbirth injuries, pelvic surgeries, or nerve damage. It affects quality of life significantly, yet many people don't seek help due to embarrassment. This study explored whether Lipogems® technology could offer a new minimally invasive option.

Incontinence scores dropped from 14 to 3.4 on average

Doctors measured severity using the Wexner Incontinence Score. This scale runs from zero (perfect control) to twenty (complete incontinence). Before treatment, patients averaged a score of 14, indicating significant problems.

Three months after the Lipogems® injection, average scores dropped to 3.4. This dramatic improvement means patients went from frequent accidents to near-normal bowel control. Most importantly, these gains held steady through the full two-year follow-up period.

Ultrasound imaging reveals muscle repair over time

Researchers used ultrasound to watch what happened inside the treated area. At six months, the injected fat tissue had been absorbed by the body. However, something remarkable appeared at twelve and twenty-four months: clear evidence of muscle repair.

This finding suggests that the fat tissue doesn't work by simply adding bulk. Instead, the stem cells and helper cells within Lipogems® appear to trigger the body's own healing processes. The regenerative cells seem to "wake up" damaged muscles and nerves, helping them repair themselves.

Sphincter pressure measurements improved significantly

Beyond symptom scores, doctors measured how well the anal sphincter muscles actually worked. They tested pressure both at rest and during voluntary squeezing. Both measurements showed meaningful improvements over time.

• Resting pressure increased, indicating better baseline muscle tone

• Squeeze pressure improved, showing stronger voluntary control

• These gains continued even after the injected fat was absorbed

This objective evidence supports what patients reported: their muscles were working better, not just feeling different.

Procedure uses your own fat with minimal recovery time

The Lipogems® procedure involved several straightforward steps:

• Fat collection: Doctors gently removed about 90 cc (roughly six tablespoons) of fat from each patient's body through liposuction

• Processing: The fat was washed and broken into tiny clusters using a special device, preserving the regenerative cells

• Injection: The processed fat was injected around the internal and external sphincter muscles and near the pudendal nerves

Because the treatment uses your own tissue, there is no risk of rejection. The procedure is minimally invasive compared to traditional surgeries like sphincter repair or artificial sphincter implants.

Early evidence points toward healing, not just bulking

Previous treatments have tried injecting various materials to add bulk around the sphincter. These approaches often fail over time because the materials migrate or get absorbed without triggering repair.

This study suggests Lipogems® works differently. The researchers believe stem cells in the fat tissue release healing signals that encourage muscle and nerve regeneration. This "paracrine effect" means the cells communicate with surrounding tissues to promote repair. The fact that benefits continued even after the fat disappeared supports this theory.

Limitations and what comes next

This was a small study with only five patients and no comparison group. While results are encouraging, larger controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings. Researchers also need to better understand exactly how the treatment works at the cellular level.

Still, for patients who have exhausted other options, this study offers hope. All five participants experienced meaningful, lasting improvements in a condition that had resisted other treatments.

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Source: Giori et al., CellR4, 2015.