Clinical Update on Research Studies Performed at the WHS/ISHRS Live Surgery Workshop
June 2001
in “
International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology
”
hair transplantation bisected single-hair grafts intact single-hair grafts frontal hairline intact follicular units nonintact units graft preparation methods Mantis microscope graft dissection transection rates hair transplant hair grafts hairline follicular units graft methods microscope dissection transection
TLDR Splitting single-hair grafts seems to improve perceived hair fullness without affecting growth, intact grafts grow slightly better, and the Mantis microscope is clear but slower without reducing damage to grafts.
In a series of studies from 1999 and 2000, researchers investigated various aspects of hair transplantation techniques. One study on a 44-year-old male compared bisected single-hair grafts to intact single-hair grafts in the frontal hairline, finding that bisecting hairs did not significantly affect yield but did increase perceived naturalness and density. Another study on the same individual compared intact follicular units to nonintact units, showing a slightly higher growth rate for intact grafts (76.6% vs. 68.3%). A third study aimed to compare graft preparation methods, but results were not provided. Lastly, the Mantis microscope was evaluated for graft dissection and found to offer ergonomic benefits and high clarity, though it was slower and did not show a clear advantage in transection rates. The studies suggested the need for further research due to their limited scope.