Intricacies of the Single-Scar Technique for Donor Harvesting in Hair Transplantation Surgery
June 2004
in “
Dermatologic Surgery
”
single-scar technique donor harvesting hair transplantation surgery postauricular skin elevation narrower strips wider strips cosmetically appealing scar meticulous surgical technique anatomical areas complex closure techniques compromised blood supply post-operative pain single scar donor area hair transplant postauricular skin narrow strips wide strips aesthetic scar surgical technique anatomy closure techniques blood supply pain after surgery
TLDR The single-scar technique in hair transplantation minimizes scarring and preserves hairs for future use, with proper training overcoming its perceived drawbacks.
The 2004 article discusses the single-scar technique for donor harvesting in hair transplantation surgery, which aims to minimize scarring by leaving only one scar, regardless of the number of surgeries a patient undergoes. Dominic A. Brandy, MD, outlines various methods to achieve a cosmetically appealing single scar, such as postauricular skin elevation and meticulous surgical technique. Brandy emphasizes the aesthetic benefits of this technique and its ability to preserve the maximum number of hairs for future harvesting. He also addresses concerns that deter surgeons from using this technique, such as the belief that it is time-consuming and the lack of familiarity with certain anatomical areas, suggesting these can be overcome with proper training and tools. Additionally, the document highlights the advantages of using narrower strips for donor harvesting, which can reduce the need for more complex closure techniques and minimize the risk of wide scars, compromised blood supply, and post-operative pain. However, if wider strips are used, the author concurs that following Brandy's detailed recommendations is beneficial. The number of patients or surgeries analyzed was not specified in the summary provided.
