New Methodology and Instrumentation for Follicular Unit Extraction

In 2006, Dr. James A. Harris introduced the SAFE System for Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), which aimed to reduce follicle transection rates and expand patient candidacy. The study involved 59 patients, with 22 undergoing standard strip excision and 37 receiving 6,947 grafts using the SAFE System. The average transection rate with the SAFE System was 6.14%, with a range of 1.7% to 15%, and only two adverse reactions were reported. The system was found to potentially allow more surgeons to adopt FUE, offering benefits like less scarring and faster recovery, and was particularly advantageous for patients with black or white hair. Despite some skepticism among surgeons about the benefits of FUE and the term "minimally invasive," the document acknowledges FUE's advantages in specific situations and suggests that nearly all patients could be candidates for FUE with the SAFE System, although the system may not be suitable for everyone.