Anatomical and aesthetical reconstruction of complex hair-bearing areas: a three-step procedure including implant of dermal regeneration templates, skin grafting, and hair micrografting.

ABSTRACT

Reconstructive surgery of complex hair-bearing skin defects often represents a challenge for the plastic surgeon; indeed, a multistage procedure is to be planned, including a first reconstructive step including local flaps, even if pre-expanded, or for larger defects, microsurgical flaps. To date, the implant of dermal regeneration templates has been proven an effective alternative. The authors relate their results of a complex hair-bearing reconstruction of a scalp and brow defect after a friction road burn with those reported in literature, concluding that a 3-staged reconstruction (dermal template implantation, skin grafting, and finally hair micrografting) can achieve good results in this complex kind of reconstruction. Histological specimens taken 2 years later confirmed a full anatomical reconstruction of the hair-bearing areas. Finally, this paper reports the first case of brow reconstruction performed with these techniques.