A Novel Method of Intraoperative Calculation in Follicular Unit Transplantation: 'The Sequential Strip and FUE Method'.

Hair loss, in particular androgenetic alopecia, has troubled humans since the dawn of history. Treatment options for hair restoration have undergone massive transformation from punch grafting to follicular unit transplantation. Current surgical treatment options in hair restoration fall broadly under two categories, follicular unit transplantation most commonly known as strip method and follicular unit extraction (FUE). The strip method though widely used initially is not so common now due to its fair share of disadvantages ranging from linear donor scar, scar widening to strip overharvesting and wastage of grafts. Follicular unit excision (FUE) was introduced as an alternative method for extraction of grafts to combat the donor linear scar produced by strip method but the disadvantages of FUE include the number of grafts harvested in a single session, moth eaten appearance of donor area caused by over extraction of grafts and harvesting from outside the safe zone. Newer developments like extraction of axillary hair, body hair and pubic hair have been sought to overcome the limitations of number of grafts harvested in a single session of FUE. With more patients now affected by alopecia in their early 20s, there is an ever-increasing demand from the patients for the youthful hairline and hence the focus has shifted towards mega and giga sessions of hair transplantation which pose danger of over extraction of grafts leading to depletion of available donor sites. This article elaborates the combined sequential strip and FUE method along with an intraoperative calculation model to overcome the limitations of over extraction and wastage of grafts. (1) Combination of techniques Strip method with FUE. (2) An intraoperative calculation model that aids in limiting over extraction and wastage of grafts. (3) It is a real time model which can be applied in practice with ease.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A comparative study of the application of three digital imaging techniques to assess the thickness of the palatal mucosa of the maxillary anterior teeth.

BACKGROUND: This study highlights the need for precise and efficient methods to measure palatal mucosal thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth, particularly for soft tissue augmentation in the aesthetic zone. The research evaluates three digital imaging techniques, suggesting that Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) combined with intraoral scanners (IOS) is a promising approach for reliable clinical assessment. METHODS: Ten volunteers with healthy periodontium were selected, and three methods were employed: CBCT-based indirect gingival imaging, modified soft tissue CBCT (ST-CBCT), and CBCT combined with IOS. Measurements of palatal mucosal thickness were taken at multiple points along the palatal gingival margin. Statistical analysis included Bland-Altman plots for method agreement and intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) analysis for reliability. All measurements were standardized, repeated for consistency, and accurate to 0.01 mm to ensure reliability. RESULTS: The Bland-Altman plots showed that less than 5% of the points for palatal mucosal thickness differences measured by the gingival indirect radiographic method, modified ST-CBCT, and CBCT combined with IOS were located outside the 95% limits of agreement (LoA). The mean value of the differences was within 0.2 mm, indicating good clinical agreement among the three methods. The inter- and intra-study ICC values for palatal mucosal thickness measurements of the maxillary anterior teeth using the three CBCT methods were greater than 0.75 (P < 0.001), demonstrating reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the evaluation of three digital imaging techniques, this study indicates that the combination of CBCT with IOS is a feasible method for measuring palatal mucosal thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth and demonstrates good reproducibility.

Made in Germany: A Quality Indicator Not Only in the Automobile Industry But Also When It Comes to Skin Replacement: How an Automobile Textile Research Institute Developed a New Skin Substitute.

Successful research and development cooperation between a textile research institute, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research via the Center for Biomaterials and Organ Substitutes, the University of Tübingen, and the Burn Center of Marienhospital, Stuttgart, Germany, led to the development of a fully synthetic resorbable temporary epidermal skin substitute for the treatment of burns, burn-like syndromes, donor areas, and chronic wounds. This article describes the demands of the product and the steps that were taken to meet these requirements. The material choice was based on the degradation and full resorption of polylactides to lactic acid and its salts. The structure and morphology of the physical, biological, and degradation properties were selected to increase the angiogenetic abilities, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix generation. Water vapor permeability and plasticity were adapted for clinical use. The available scientific literature was screened for the use of this product. A clinical application demonstrated pain relief paired with a reduced workload, fast wound healing with a low infection rate, and good cosmetic results. A better understanding of the product's degradation process explained the reduction in systemic oxidative stress shown in clinical investigations compared to other dressings, positively affecting wound healing time and reducing the total area requiring skin grafts. Today, the product is in clinical use in 37 countries. This article describes its development, the indications for product growth over time, and the scientific foundation of treatments.

Overview and Algorithmic Approach to Management of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Male and female pattern hair loss (PHL) is an innocuous condition, but it has a major psychological impact on the sufferer. This paper aims to provide a simple algorithmic approach toward diagnosis, staging, and treatment of PHL in males and females. It also aims at simplifying the decision-making process for the surgeon with regard to timing and extent of procedure for hair transplant surgeries. Various treatment options, their merits and demerits, along with scientific evidence supporting or not supporting the treatment options are discussed in detail.

Local Anesthesia Techniques in Hair Restoration Surgery.

Pain during hair restoration surgery and other dermatologic surgery procedures is one of patients' main fears. The authors briefly describe local anesthesia techniques they use in their surgical practice that make these procedures more pleasant for patients. The ability to provide a pain-free experience during hair restoration surgery will increase patients' satisfaction and allow patients to return for subsequent procedures.

OCT Features of the Donor Area in Autologous Retinal Transplant Surgery for Macular Hole.

Purpose: To describe the structural features of the autologous retinal transplant donor tissue area seen on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: This observational prospective study included patients who had vitrectomy and autologous retinal graft surgery for a macular hole. OCT of the donor area was performed in the postoperative period after gas reabsorption (mean, 16.2 days ±9.8 [SD] after surgery; range, 7 to 28 days), and structural findings in the harvest area were recorded and analyzed. Results: Of the 12 eyes included in the series, most showed glial tissue or some migration of the inner nuclear layer (INL) in the donor area. Hyperreflective dots and epiretinal membranes were present in a few cases; 2 eyes showed denuded retinal epithelial pigment. Conclusions: OCT revealed changes in the donor area, predominantly filled with glial tissue, INL migration, and inflammatory signs, that mostly resolved during follow-up.

Occipital Donor Area Grading and Profile in Indian Population.

Background: Safe donor area (SDA) in hair transplant surgery had been categorized by various studies. We designed a study to profile the occipital donor area in our population and devise a grading scale the donor area. Aim: To profile and grade the pattern of receding hair over the occipital donor area among men in the age group of 50-55 years with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Materials and Methods: A total of 681 men with AGA (grade 3 and above Norwood scale, diffuse unpatterned AGA, and retrograde AGA) in the age group between 50 and 55 were included in the study group. Their occipital donor area was analyzed and photographed with the head in the sagittal plane. A team of two dermatologists graded the hair loss and the pattern of the receding hair over the occipital donor area and devised a grading scale and profiled the donor area. Results: Grades 1, 2, and 3 occipital donor area constituting 76.05% of the subjects analyzed, fulfilled the standard SDA criteria and 22.31% of the subjects did not fit well into the standard SDA widely followed. Diffuse thinning and reverse thinning of the occipital donor area was observed among the subjects. Conclusion: There is no clear cut defined SDA. There are lot of individual variations in SDA. SDA selection should be always conservative and over harvesting of the occipital donor region should be avoided.

Assessment of Occipital Involvement Among a Large Population of Females with Pattern Hair Loss in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Cumulative evidence suggests the involvement of the occipital region in female pattern hair loss (FPHL). However, most of the studies that have been published so far concerned relatively small samples of patients. Purpose: To assess the occipital involvement in FPHL and analyze its correlation with disease severity among a large sample of patients. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study involved 1000 adult women with FPHL, between January 2020 and August 2022. Occipital involvement was defined as more than 10% of thin hairs (<0.03 mm). Baseline trichometry parameters in the frontal and occipital regions were analyzed. Results: Occipital involvement was observed in 32.4% of the patients. Positive correlations between frontal and occipital regions were observed for all trichometry parameters; the strongest concerned average hair shaft thickness (Pearson's coefficient r=0.708), cumulative hair thickness (r=0.673), and trichometry-derived Sinclair scale (r=0.656). The risk of occipital involvement increased independently with the disease severity in frontal region; however, the disease progression was slower in the occipital compared to frontal region. Conclusion: One-third of females in our study with FPHL had occipital involvement. This has a major impact on the methods used to diagnose pattern hair loss in females and their treatment plan including hair restoration surgery.

Factors affecting cell viability and the yield of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction.

The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is isolated from adipose tissue and has tremendous regenerative potential for proliferation and differentiation. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the cell yield and viability of the SVF to improve the outcomes of its clinical applications and enhance its clinical usage. We performed a retrospective analysis with 121 patients who underwent liposuction to harvest adipose-derived SVF. We recorded patient demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), blood type, medical comorbidities, and smoking and alcohol consumption. As for operative variables, we noted the amount of lipoaspirate and the donor areas, including the lower and entire abdomen. The viability and the cell count of SVF were documented. Sex was a statistically significant factor for viability rate (p < 0.015) and cell count (p < 0.009). Men had higher viability, while women had higher cell counts. We found a statistically significant difference in the presence of hypertension (p = 0.024) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.024). There was a statistically significant relationship between cell count and age (p < 0.001), BMI (p = 0.006), and amount of lipoaspirate (p < 0.001). Sex had significant associations with cell count and viability, while age, BMI, and lipoaspirate amount were significantly associated with cell count. Hypertension and alcohol consumption significantly affected cell count, which is the first such report of this association. Surgeons could apply this knowledge to patient selection for optimal treatment outcomes. Additionally, understanding these factors can help manage patient expectations.

Keloid Scars Arising after Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplantation.

Hair transplantation is considered safe compared to other cosmetic procedures. However, scarring is still an inevitable potential complication. Keloid scarring is a rare complication of hair transplantation and usually associated with strip harvesting rather than follicular unit extraction (FUE). A case of keloids at the donor site following FUE hair transplantation is presented. Hair transplant practitioners should be aware of the risks of the procedure when considering hair restoration to ensure safer outcomes.

Donor Area Acute Effluvium following Follicular Unit Extraction-Trichoscopic Simulator of Alopecia Areata: Series of Four Cases.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a popular hair transplant technique, which involves extraction of follicular grafts from the donor area, usually occipital area of scalp. We have described few cases where non-scarring alopecia patches appeared at donor area similar to that of alopecia areata clinically, after 2-3 weeks of surgery. Even trichoscopically, findings were similar to alopecia areata showing exclamation marks, black dots. However, on histopathology, there were dilated blood vessels, mucin deposition, and only few lymphocytes, which mimic histopathology of healing wound. We hypothesize that compromised blood supply and trauma to the existing hairs after harvesting can lead to post-hair transplant effluvium, which is probably due to anagen effluvium.

Repair fingertip defect and soft tissue defect of donor site with nerve anastomosed relay flap / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To explore the method and effect of repairing fingertip defect and soft tissue defect in donor area by relay flap with suture nerve.Methods:From January 2017 to May 2019, 11 cases of fingertip defects were repaired with reverse island fascial pedicle flap of dorsal digital artery sutured with nerve, with a flap area of 0.6 cm×1.2 cm-1.6 cm×2.0 cm, and the flap donor area was repaired with dorsal metacarpal artery cutaneous branch flap. The patients were followed-up by outpatient, reexamination and WeChat interviews.Results:Twenty-two flaps of 11 cases survived completely and the wound healed in stage I. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 36 months, with an average of 13 months. The flap and pedicle were not bloated, the shape of finger was satisfactory, the texture was soft, and the skin color was close to the skin of finger. Sensory recovery≥S 3. The TPD of the flap was 6-11 mm, with an average of 8.4 mm. Hand function was evaluated according to the Trial Standard of Upper Limb Function Evaluation of Chinese Medical Association: excellent in 10 cases and good in 1 case. The patients were satisfied with the repair effect and resumed their daily life and work. Conclusion:This operation is simple, does not need to sacrifice the main blood vessels and nerves, can restore the good shape and sensction of the affected finger, with the activity close to normal. It is an effective method to repair the fingertip defect.

Minimizing injury to the donor area in follicular unit extraction (FUE) harvesting.

BACKGROUND: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is considered to be a minimally invasive procedure, and the injury to the donor area caused by a sharp punch may result in dermal fibrosis and clinically observed hypopigmentation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate with advanced image processing the efficacy of using 0.9% normal saline in minimizing the injury to the donor area in FUE donor harvesting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The term acute extraction (AE) is used to describe the donor harvesting technique, whereby a follicular unit (FU) is removed with a punch that is aligned parallel with the exit angle of the hair follicle. The term vertical extraction (VE) describes the technique where a FU is removed in like manner, but normal saline is injected intradermally prior to harvesting so the punch being perpendicular to the skin. Thirty-five patients were selected for this study to apply both harvesting techniques and then to compare the differences in wound surface size and skin mass removed by the punch. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the mean values of wound surface and skin mass was recorded in vertical extraction compared to those in acute extraction. CONCLUSION: The injection of normal saline prior to harvesting proved to be very efficient in minimizing skin injury in FUE harvesting.

Follicular Unit Grafting in Chronic Nonhealing Leg Ulcers: A Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The restoration of the epithelium after injury takes place by migration of epithelial cells adjoining a wound or by centrifugal migration from hair follicles. To evaluate the feasibility and potential healing capacity of scalp follicular unit grafts transplanted into the wound bed of chronic leg ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic nonhealing ulcers of more than 6 weeks duration were selected for the study. Those with infected ulcers and uncontrolled diabetes were excluded from the study. Fifteen patients were included in the study. Follicular unit grafts were harvested under local anesthesia using small-diameter (1 mm) circular punches. A density of 5 follicular grafts/cm2 was implanted into the ulcer bed. The ulcer was dressed with Vaseline gauze and elastic bandage for 24 h. The wound area and volume were calculated by length × width × 0.7854 and length × width × depth × 0.7854, respectively. The treatment outcome was defined as the percentage in change of area and volume of the ulcer, 18 weeks after intervention. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients with 17 ulcers were treated with the above method. Of these 17 ulcers, 11 were venous ulcers, 2 were pyoderma gangrenosum associated with varicose veins, 2 were traumatic ulcers, and 2 were trophic ulcers. The baseline mean area of the ulcer was 6.72 cm2 (SD 5.65) and baseline volume was 2.87 cm3 (SD 2.9). The final area of the ulcer at the end of 18 weeks after the procedure was 3.84 cm2 (SD 5.43) and the final volume was 1.21 cm3 (SD 2.45), which was statistically significant. The mean percentage improvement in the area and volume of the ulcer was 48.8% and 71.98%, respectively. Two patients did not respond to the treatment. There were no adverse events after the procedure. CONCLUSION: We conclude that follicular unit grafting into wound beds is feasible and represents a promising therapeutic alternative for managing nonhealing chronic leg ulcers.

Accuracy of cone-beam computerized tomography in determining the thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa.

BACKGROUND: The palatal masticatory mucosa is the main donor area of soft tissue and connective tissue grafts used for increasing the keratinized mucosa around teeth and implants, covering exposed roots and increasing localized alveolar ridge thickness. The aim of this study was to compare the thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa as determined on a cone-beam computerized tomography scan versus thickness determined via bone-sounding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients requiring palatal surgery participated. Thickness of the palatal tissue was measured at various points radiographically and clinically. The two techniques were compared to determine the agreement of the two measurement modalities. RESULTS: Statistical analysis determined that there was no significant difference between the two methods. Moreover, the tissue thickness was shown to increase as the distance from the gingival margin increased, and the tissue over the premolars was thicker than the other teeth. CONCLUSION: Cone-beam computerized tomography can be used as a noninvasive method to accurately and consistently determine the soft tissue thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa with minimal bias at different locations on the palate.

Outcomes of staple closure of the donor area during hair transplant by follicular unit transfer.

BACKGROUND: Donor area closure in hair transplantation by follicular unit transfer (FUT) is being done by various techniques. This study aims to assess the outcomes of staple closure for donor area in FUT. AIM: To study the outcome, efficacy and complications of staples in donor area closure for FUT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 consecutive patients who underwent staple closure for donor area in FUT were included in the study and their data were collected retrospectively. Patients were followed up one year after the surgery and photographic documentation of the scar at the donor site was done. Objective measurement of the width of the scar was done for all the patients. RESULTS: The average length of the donor area was 22 cm. The average width of the scar was 1.82 mm. There was no infection or tissue necrosis at the staple closure site in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Staple closure resulted in cosmetically acceptable scar, but post operative discomfort was the major limitation. The potential to conserve the hair follicles along the line of closure makes using staples worthwhile if conservation of follicles is the goal.

Follicular unit extraction.

The purpose of this article is to introduce the reader to the topic of follicular unit extraction (FUE) and to present an overview of the value of FUE to patients and physicians. In addition to this, the various methods and instrumentation for performing this method of graft harvest are discussed as well as some of the technique's inherent advantages and disadvantages. Topics unique to FUE, including body hair grafting, plug/minigrafts repair, and donor area management are addressed as well.

Extração de unidades foliculares: transplante capilar sem cicatriz linear / Follicular unit extraction: hair transplant without linear scar

Introdução: A técnica de extração de unidades foliculares (FUE, do inglês follicular unit extraction), de um a três folículos capilares, dispensa a necessidade de ressecção da área doadora na região occipitotemporal e de outros envolvimentos táticos e técnicos para transformar o material adquirido nessas unidades. Estas são obtidas diretamente, sendo extraídas por meio de pequenos cilindros ocos (punches), com diâmetro variando de 0,8 mm a 1mm, mediante incisão circular ao redor de cada unidade folicular no couro cabeludo e, subsequente, extração. Método: Foram avaliados e acompanhados, durante 24 meses, 77 pacientes submetidos a transplante de unidades foliculares, aplicado na correção de áreas de alopecia dos mais diversos tipos (androgênica, em cicatrizes de áreas pilosas, transplantes em supercílios, em pequenas áreas de calvície). Destes, 12 eram do sexo feminino e 65 do masculino, com idades que variavam de 19 a 65 anos; sete pacientes foram operados para correção de cicatrizes inestéticas e alargadas, decorrentes de transplantes capilares anteriores, realizados por técnicas convencionais. Os cuidados transoperatórios na manipulação das unidades foliculares são mais acurados, dada a sutileza de suas estruturas. Resultados: Apesar do tempo cirúrgico aumentado, não existe cicatriz linear e as áreas doadoras são menos visíveis e totalmente camufláveis pelos cabelos adjacentes no período de 3 a 5 dias de pós-operatório, mesmo com os cabelos raspados. Conclusão: O método exige maiores cuidados quanto aos procedimentos táticos e técnicos de manipulação e à obtenção das unidades foliculares.

Introduction: Follicular unit extraction (FUE), which involves harvesting a follicular unit containing between one and three hair follicles, prevents the need for donor area resection in the occipitotemporal region for hair transplantation. This method also avoids the need to dissect the material acquired into follicular units. In this method, the follicular units are directly obtained and extracted using small hollow cylinders (punches) with a diameter of 0.8­1 mm through a circular incision around each follicular unit on the scalp. Method: Over 24 months, we evaluated 77 patients with various forms of alopecia (including androgenic and scarring hair loss, eyebrow loss, and small bald areas) who underwent follicular unit transplant. Twelve patients were women and 65 men, with ages ranging from 19 to 65 years. Seven patients underwent the procedure to correct unsightly and extended scars caused by previous hair transplants performed by conventional techniques. This method requires greater intraoperative care in handling the follicular units to avoid damaging them. Results: Although the surgical time was increased, no linear scarring was observed, and the donor areas were less visible due to being masked by adjacent hairs from 3 to 5 days after surgery. This was the case even with shaved hair. Conclusion: Although this procedure requires greater care in handling and obtaining follicular units, FUE enables hair transplants without a linear scar. As such, this method has many clinical indications.

Avaliação da dor na área doadora de pacientes com fissura labiopalatina submetidos a reparo do defeito ósseo alveolar com enxerto autógeno de crista ilíaca: um estudo prospectivo randomizado comparando dois extratores ósseos / Assessment of donor area pain in patients with cleft lip and palate undergoing alveolar bone defects repairs using iliac crest autogenous grafting: a prospective randomized comparison of two bone extractors

INTRODUÇÃO: Enxerto ósseo autógeno é o padrão no tratamento da falha óssea alveolar. Como a morbidade na área doadora após a obtenção de enxerto ósseo continua sendo um problema relevante em pacientes fissurados, este estudo avaliou a dor na área doadora de pacientes fissurados submetidos ao tratamento de falhas ósseas alveolares com a transferência de enxerto ósseo obtido da crista ilíaca, por meio de um estudo prospectivo randomizado, comparando dois extratores ósseos. MÉTODO: Trinta e seis pacientes com fissura labiopalatina, submetidos ao reparo da falha óssea alveolar com enxerto obtido da crista ilíaca com auxílio do extrator ósseo SOBRAPAR (grupo A) ou extrator ósseo UCLA (grupo B), foram incluídos. A dor na área doadora foi avaliada no período pós-operatório com auxílio da escala numérica unidimensional de dor (0- "sem dor"; 10- "pior dor que se pode imaginar"). RESULTADOS: As médias das mensurações da dor na área doadora não revelaram diferenças significativas (p>0,05 para todas as comparações) nas comparações realizadas entre os grupos A e B, em nenhum dos momentos pós-operatórios avaliados. Houve um maior número (p<0,05) de pacientes do grupo B que não reportaram dor na área doadora, quando comparado ao grupo A. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo apresentou um maior número de pacientes do grupo B "sem dor", quando comparado aos pacientes do grupo A, não existindo diferenças entre aqueles que reportaram quaisquer notas diferentes de zero.

INTRODUCTION: Autogenous bone grafting is the standard treatment for alveolar bone defects. However, morbidity in the donor area after the bone graft has been obtained continues to be a significant problem in cleft patients. This prospective randomized study compared donor area pain associated with the use of 2 bone extractors in patients with cleft lip and palate, who underwent treatment of alveolar bone defects using a bone graft obtained from the iliac crest. METHOD: Thirty-six patients with cleft lip and palate underwent alveolar bone defect repair using a graft from the iliac crest, harvested with either a SOBRAPAR bone extractor (group A) or UCLA bone extractor (group B). Donor area pain was evaluated in the postoperative period with the aid of a unidimensional numerical pain scale (0, "no pain"; 10, "worst pain imaginable"). RESULTS: Comparison of the mean donor area pain score did not reveal any significant differences (p >0.05 for all comparisons) between the groups A and B, at any of the postoperative times evaluated. A significantly higher number of patients in group B reported no pain in the donor area, compared with group A (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a significantly greater number of patients in group B reported "no pain", compared with patients in group A; with regard to patients who reported any level of pain greater than zero, there were no between-group differences.