The Use of Retention Sutures and Tensed Silastic-Dacron Strips for the Prevention of Stretch-Back After Alopecia-Reducing Procedures
October 1994
in “
The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology
”
Studysummary This study found that tensed Silastic-Dacron strips completely prevented stretch-back and sometimes compressed the remaining bald area after alopecia-reducing procedures, whereas retention sutures provided only partial prevention. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
Between 1990 and 1992, a study involving 75 patients evaluated the effectiveness of retention sutures and tensed Silastic-Dacron strips in preventing stretch-back after alopecia-reducing surgeries. The study found that retention sutures, used in 25 patients, somewhat prevented stretch-back, while the tensed Silastic-Dacron strips, used in another 25 patients, completely prevented stretch-back and even resulted in compression of the bald area in about half of the cases. The remaining 25 patients received no intervention. No complications were associated with the Silastic-Dacron strips. The study concluded that the Silastic-Dacron strips are particularly effective in preventing stretch-back and improving outcomes in hair restoration procedures.
