TLDR The ARTAS robotic system for hair restoration is efficient with fewer cuts than manual methods, but it's limited to certain hair types and can still leave scars.
The 2014 document reviewed the ARTAS robotic system for Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) in hair restoration, noting its efficiency and lower transection rates compared to manual FUE (8% vs. 26%). The system, FDA approved for men with brown or black hair, requires fewer personnel and offers a minimally invasive option with quicker healing and less postoperative pain. However, it has limitations, including suitability for specific hair types and potential for mechanical failures. Complications are similar to manual FUE, and while the procedure is marketed as minimal scar, visible scarring can occur with short haircuts or excessive harvesting. Ideal candidates are young patients needing few grafts and those opposed to strip excision. The document stresses the need for physician expertise in both robotic and manual FUE/strip harvesting to manage intraoperative issues and cautions against misleading marketing claims. The authors disclosed financial interests in Restoration Robotics.
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