Hair Transplantation on a Free Microvascular Latissimus Dorsi Flap

The document reports a case where a 35-year-old female patient with partial scalp alopecia, following neurosurgical treatment for astrocytoma, underwent scalp reconstruction using a free microvascular latissimus dorsi flap covered with a split-thickness skin graft. To improve the aesthetic outcome and address the resulting alopecia, 1000 minigrafts were transplanted onto the flap in three sessions, six months apart. The grafts were taken from the occipital region of the head. The procedure was deemed successful, with good survival of the hair follicles and satisfactory aesthetic results. The study emphasizes that while free microvascular flaps are effective for reconstructing scalp defects with underlying osteomyelitis and provide necessary blood supply for healing, they often result in alopecia. Therefore, hair transplantation of minigrafts is recommended as a viable solution for covering such defects and achieving complete aesthetic satisfaction.