Cosmetology & Trichology

Biography

Biography: William Lindsey

Abstract

Background:

Scars in hair bearing scalp present unique challenges. While scar revision is the main tool in the reconstructive surgeon’s armamentarium, at times it may have either contributed to the scar problem or may not be an ideal choice. Hair transplantation offers an alternative in select cases. A review of 12 repair cases is presented with discussion of specific nuances particular to graft placement into scar tissue.

Materials and Methods:

Review of 12 cases of hair transplantation to repair scars in hair bearing scalp in patients with at least 1 year follow up.

Results:

All 12 patients had good to excellent coverage of their scars with hair transplantation using follicular unit harvest by either strip or FUE. In 3 patients, particularly dense and fibrous parts of the treated scar showed less growth but still a significant growth yield. Full growth often required 15 months.

Discussion:

In this series, both strip and FUE graft harvest was utilized. In both techniques, minimal trimming of subcutaneous tissue was performed so that the follicular unit was transplanted with slightly more surrounding tissue than for a standard hairline case. Recipient slits were therefore made slightly wider, averaging 1.25mm and minimal pressure was used in graft placement.

Conclusion:

In patients with scars in hair bearing scalp, hair transplantation offers an alternative to surgical scar excision. Careful harvest and placement of slightly thicker grafts into properly created recipient slits yields consistent and cosmetically pleasing results.