Conservative Treatment of Gastrointestinal Fistulas by Endoscopic Injection of tSVFem

Gastrointestinal (GI) fistula is a complex condition with high mortality and requiring a multidisciplinary management. The aim of this study is to exploit the regenerative-tissue capacities of autologous emulsified adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (tSVFem, widely used in other medical fields - like plastic surgery -for different purposes) harvested and delivered locally by endoscopy to close the GI fistula. The proposed technique for the treatment of GI fistulas with tSVFem requires a minimal, inexpensive, easily reproducible mechanical manipulation of autologous adipose tissue without necessity of any enzymatic digestion or cell expansion.