Complications with Hair Transplantation
May 2020
in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America”
TLDR Hair transplant complications are rare with good planning and technique, but risks include infection, bleeding, and patient dissatisfaction.
The document from May 2020 discusses complications associated with hair transplantation, emphasizing that while major complications are rare when the surgery is well-performed and carefully planned, issues can arise due to poor surgical planning or technique. It highlights the importance of preoperative education and patient involvement in reducing postoperative complications. Young patients are particularly at risk for planning errors due to aggressive restoration goals and the unpredictability of future hair loss. The paper also notes that complications such as infection and bleeding are uncommon due to the scalp's good circulation, but can occur in both recipient and donor sites. Preoperative screening for bleeding disorders and certain medications is crucial, and intraoperative bleeding can be managed with epinephrine-containing solutions or suture ligation, depending on the vessel size. Postoperative oozing can be controlled with proper wound closure and patient instructions. Additionally, patient dissatisfaction and unexpected loss of donor hair years after the procedure are potential complications.
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