Exclusive Summit
28 -29 June 2011 - Barcelona

The main conclusions from the G-12 World Plastic Surgery Summit are as follows:

1. Although there is a huge potential for the future use of stem cells in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, it is required to follow protocol already checked, and that they comply with the safety and legality established rules. This huge potential comes from the techniques already in use at the moment, with satisfactory results, like the use of growth factors for facial rejuvenance and the boldness, as well as the use of stem cells for improving the fat grafting in aesthetic surgery (e.g. body contouring). Another application of regenerative medicine, carried out by Dr. Izpisúa, is the treatment of progeria, congenital rare syndrome that accelerates the aging process and produces a very premature death.

Dr. Izpisúa has achieved to develop a cellular and molecular model where to asses the efficacy of different chemical products in vitro. This kind of discoveries obtained in research laboratory related to regenerative medicine will allow us to have a better understanding of the human physiological process, like aging, which was studied only in animals so far.

2. In the use of stem cells, it is necessary to distinguish between procedures that do not require a previous manipulation or programming of the mentioned cells (as it could be the use of growing factors or stem cells obtained from autologous fat without having been previously manipulated before using them in the same patient) or the procedures that use previously programmed stem cells in regenerative medicine. The first ones only need a protocol approved by the ethic committee of the same clinic or hospital; and the second ones have to be framed within a clinical trial regulated by the National Drug Agency.

3. Although the law does not specify on the use of stem cells for "aesthetic use", the G-12 shares with the European and American Health authorities the recommendation of its application under a specific protocol, with a patients consent and under the approval of the Code of Ethics Committee of the hospital or clinic.

4. The expression "therapy with stem cells" should not be used if the stem cells that are implied in the aesthetic surgeries are autologous and exist in these tissues in a natural way. This expression must be kept for surgeries that require stem cells previously manipulated.

5. The legal framework of the stem cells use says that it is legal to harvest, transport, store and take them back for its application in the infiltration processes, only if they have not been manipulated without a special authorization.

6. It is essential to build bridges between laboratories of basic science and/or clinics or hospitals that carried out clinical applications.

1. The main need of the African continent is to have qualified plastic surgeons available; therefore, training and international collaboration in this way is a challenge for the specialty.

2. A regulation for plastic surgeons who want to cooperate in Africa or other non developed countries/continents must be established in order to be aware of the real life in the country, and its help is given conscientiously.