New Instrumentation for Hair Transplantation Surgery

In the document from June 1, 1998, Dominic A. Brandy, MD, introduced new instruments designed to improve the efficiency and outcomes of hair transplantation surgery. These instruments included a range of differential spear blades (1.0 to 4.0 mm) for making precise incisions that accommodate various graft sizes, a graft counter to keep accurate track of incisions, a blade holder with a direction guide for accurate incision orientation, cushioned forceps to reduce trauma to hair grafts during insertion, a temperature probe with an alarm to maintain the optimal temperature of saline solution for grafts, and a compass for constructing a natural-looking posterior crown. The spear blades were highlighted for their sharpness and ability to last through over 1,000 incisions, despite causing slightly more bleeding than round-tipped blades. The graft counter and temperature probe were emphasized for their roles in maintaining procedural accuracy and graft viability, respectively. The cushioned forceps were designed to minimize crush injury to grafts, which is crucial for successful hair growth. Overall, these innovations aimed to customize the hair transplantation process to individual patients and improve the survival and growth of hair grafts.