Evaluation of a Novel Graft-Holding Solution in Hair Transplantation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

A randomized controlled clinical study involving 240 patients evaluated the impact of a novel graft-holding solution, histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate with adenosine triphosphate and deferoxamine (HTK-AD), on postsurgical hair shedding in hair transplantation. The study found that grafts preserved in HTK-AD maintained organized dense collagen construction and higher cell viability, while those in Ringer solution (RS) became soft, hindering implantation. HTK-AD significantly reduced the incidence of postsurgical hair shedding (73.81% vs 95%), delayed shedding onset, and diminished shedding amount when ≥3,000 grafts were transplanted. It also shortened the shedding duration and initiated hair regrowth earlier than RS, thus increasing patient satisfaction. However, the final survival rate of the grafts showed no difference between the two solutions. The study concluded that HTK-AD is superior to RS for hair graft preservation as it improves graft viability and alleviates postsurgical shedding.