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2004 International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons Conference
Article by Konstantine J. Minotakis, MD.
DHI Medical Group, Athens, Greece.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) at DHT: One Year's Experience
Introduction
Hair Transplantation (hair transplant) presented through out the years, from its first steps, lots of innovations and change of techniques in every aspect of its implementation. A common denominator though was shared in all these evolutions. We moved around new hair but we always destroyed the aesthetic appearance of the donor area, creating various severities of scars that usually cannot be predicted ahead of time. The problem was increased in the mega session era and the continued greed for more hair by everyone (doctors and patients). The FUE technique successfully addresses all of these issues, creating no linear scars in the donor area, yet still keeping the same high standards of modern hair transplantation.
Materials and Methods
Since June 2003, we started fumbling around in the dark after the initial publication of this technique, testing in parallel with our regular technique. However, it has become our standard technique as of October 2003, and now 96% of our cases are performed with FUE. Following our protocol according to ISO9001 quality control systems, we keep a strict file of all our patients and their follow up. By June 2004 we had more than 700 patients fully recorded. We present the learning curve of FUE regarding:
1) Extraction Rate
2) Ratio between targeted and extracted hairs (Transection Rate)
3) Time per 100 grafts
4) Cost to benefit analysis
Further modifications in various instruments will be presented as well as the direct implantation technique and the use of the implanter which we consider crucial in placing the most delicate structure of an extracted Follicular Unit.
Conclusions
The current indications of the FUE technique are revised after one years experience and a presentation of documented results is published for the first time. Advantages and problems raised with FUE are also discussed. This technique opens the doors of a new era in hair transplantation for the benefit of our patients by expanding the donor area, creating minimal scarring, and still presenting a natural and aesthetically accepted result.
Konstantine J. Minotakis, MD.
Article by Konstantine J. Minotakis, MD.
DHI Medical Group, Athens, Greece.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) at DHT: One Year's Experience
Introduction
Hair Transplantation (hair transplant) presented through out the years, from its first steps, lots of innovations and change of techniques in every aspect of its implementation. A common denominator though was shared in all these evolutions. We moved around new hair but we always destroyed the aesthetic appearance of the donor area, creating various severities of scars that usually cannot be predicted ahead of time. The problem was increased in the mega session era and the continued greed for more hair by everyone (doctors and patients). The FUE technique successfully addresses all of these issues, creating no linear scars in the donor area, yet still keeping the same high standards of modern hair transplantation.
Materials and Methods
Since June 2003, we started fumbling around in the dark after the initial publication of this technique, testing in parallel with our regular technique. However, it has become our standard technique as of October 2003, and now 96% of our cases are performed with FUE. Following our protocol according to ISO9001 quality control systems, we keep a strict file of all our patients and their follow up. By June 2004 we had more than 700 patients fully recorded. We present the learning curve of FUE regarding:
1) Extraction Rate
2) Ratio between targeted and extracted hairs (Transection Rate)
3) Time per 100 grafts
4) Cost to benefit analysis
Further modifications in various instruments will be presented as well as the direct implantation technique and the use of the implanter which we consider crucial in placing the most delicate structure of an extracted Follicular Unit.
Conclusions
The current indications of the FUE technique are revised after one years experience and a presentation of documented results is published for the first time. Advantages and problems raised with FUE are also discussed. This technique opens the doors of a new era in hair transplantation for the benefit of our patients by expanding the donor area, creating minimal scarring, and still presenting a natural and aesthetically accepted result.
Konstantine J. Minotakis, MD.