Scalp Reduction Revisited: A 10-Year Experience

December 2002 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology ”

Samuel M. Lam, Edwin F. Williams

scalp reduction surgery vertex alopecia crown recession scalp extender

TLDR Scalp reduction surgery is safe and effective for certain patients with hair loss, leading to dense hair coverage and high satisfaction.

The document by Samuel M. Lam, M.D., and Edwin F. Williams III, M.D., from 2002, reports on a 10-year experience with scalp reduction surgery for treating vertex alopecia. The authors found the procedure to be safe and reliable, particularly for mature, motivated patients with stable or limited progressive crown recession. They emphasized the importance of patient selection, preoperative planning, and the use of a scalp extender to prevent stretch-back and reduce the time between sessions. The surgery resulted in dense, natural-looking hair coverage for defects up to 12 cm with high patient satisfaction, complete closure rates, minimal morbidity, and no need for revisions. However, the paper does not specify the number of patients involved in the study.

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