Intricacies of the Single-Scar Technique for Donor Harvesting in Hair Transplantation Surgery
June 2004
in “
Dermatologic Surgery
”
TLDR The article concludes that using the single-scar technique for hair transplants can result in a more attractive scar and that concerns about the technique can be managed with proper methods.
The 2004 article discusses the single-scar technique for donor harvesting in hair transplantation, which aims to leave only one scar, as opposed to multiple scars from traditional methods. Dominic A. Brandy, MD, outlines methods to improve this technique, such as postauricular skin elevation and double-layered closure, to achieve a cosmetically attractive single scar after multiple surgeries. The article also addresses the reluctance of some surgeons to adopt this technique due to concerns about procedure time, anatomy familiarity, positioning, and undermining, but suggests these can be overcome with proper techniques and tools. Additionally, the document highlights the benefits of using narrower strips for donor harvesting to reduce tension and the risk of wide scars, nerve and blood vessel damage, and postoperative pain. While narrower strips may make some of Brandy's complex techniques less essential, they are recommended if wider strips are used. The number of participants in the study is not mentioned, limiting the assessment of the study's strength.
