Hair Replacement Surgery for Male Pattern Alopecia

The 1993 document outlines the history, causes, and surgical treatment options for male pattern baldness (MPB). It emphasizes that while no non-surgical products have been consistently effective, surgical hair replacement, which redistributes existing scalp hair, is a viable option. The success of such surgeries relies on the availability of donor hair and realistic patient expectations. The document details various grafting techniques, including full-sized cylindrical grafts for the frontal hairline, minigrafts for adding density, and micrografts for a natural hairline transition. It also describes skin flaps, such as advancement and rotation flaps, which can cover larger bald areas. The choice of procedure is influenced by the baldness pattern, donor site, patient preference, and surgeon's expertise, with proper planning leading to satisfactory outcomes.