HairlossTalk
Senior Member
- Reaction score
- 6
2004 International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons Conference
Article by Alan J. Bauman, MD.
Bauman Medical Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA
Follicular-Unit Extraction made Easy: The Key Steps to Success
Introduction
While remaining controversial, the use of so-called 'minimally-invasive' techniques has dramatically increased in North America and Europe within the past several years as an alternative to traditional 'strip-harvesting' - gaining popularity with surgeons and patients alike. General guidelines for patient selection, treatment protocols, adequate instrumentation, descriptions of techniques, or even agreements on terminology, remain unavailable.
Objective
It is the author's objective to present, based on his cumulative experience with the technique since 2002, several key aspects he believes to be critical for the technical success of the procedure. It is the author's hope that this approach to the technique will shorten the learning curve of those who are interested in performing this procedure.
Methods
Typically, follicular unit extraction is performed using 1mm punches to separate follicular units from the surrounding donor tissue down to the mid-dermis and then followed by extraction of the follicular units with forceps. The follicular unit micrografts are then implanted into the smallest, most densely packed recipient sites possible. Key factors for ease of extraction include:
1) Patient/physician positioning and ergonomics
2) Turgid Tumescence of the donor area
3) Adequate loupe magnification
4) Minimal-depth incisions
5) Traction/counter-traction excisions
Results
Video will be presented which will illustrate several key factors which tend to improve the ease, efficiency and success of a follicular unit extraction procedure.
Conclusion
As with any hair restoration procedure, attention to specific details can dramatically enhance the success, efficiency and effectiveness of a given procedure. Guidelines for the appropriate use of the technique of follicular-unit extraction are still evolving, as are specific nuances of the technique itself. It is the author's intent to highlight several key technical factors which will 'shorten the learning curve' for this relatively 'new' procedure and improve a surgeon's likelihood of success with the technique.
Alan J. Bauman, MD.
Article by Alan J. Bauman, MD.
Bauman Medical Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA
Follicular-Unit Extraction made Easy: The Key Steps to Success
Introduction
While remaining controversial, the use of so-called 'minimally-invasive' techniques has dramatically increased in North America and Europe within the past several years as an alternative to traditional 'strip-harvesting' - gaining popularity with surgeons and patients alike. General guidelines for patient selection, treatment protocols, adequate instrumentation, descriptions of techniques, or even agreements on terminology, remain unavailable.
Objective
It is the author's objective to present, based on his cumulative experience with the technique since 2002, several key aspects he believes to be critical for the technical success of the procedure. It is the author's hope that this approach to the technique will shorten the learning curve of those who are interested in performing this procedure.
Methods
Typically, follicular unit extraction is performed using 1mm punches to separate follicular units from the surrounding donor tissue down to the mid-dermis and then followed by extraction of the follicular units with forceps. The follicular unit micrografts are then implanted into the smallest, most densely packed recipient sites possible. Key factors for ease of extraction include:
1) Patient/physician positioning and ergonomics
2) Turgid Tumescence of the donor area
3) Adequate loupe magnification
4) Minimal-depth incisions
5) Traction/counter-traction excisions
Results
Video will be presented which will illustrate several key factors which tend to improve the ease, efficiency and success of a follicular unit extraction procedure.
Conclusion
As with any hair restoration procedure, attention to specific details can dramatically enhance the success, efficiency and effectiveness of a given procedure. Guidelines for the appropriate use of the technique of follicular-unit extraction are still evolving, as are specific nuances of the technique itself. It is the author's intent to highlight several key technical factors which will 'shorten the learning curve' for this relatively 'new' procedure and improve a surgeon's likelihood of success with the technique.
Alan J. Bauman, MD.