Telogen Effluvium as a Complication of Scalp Reconstruction with Tissue Expander: A Case Report

October 2021 in “ PubMed ”

Donatello Di Mascio, Gianluca Sapino, Federico De Maria

Telogen Effluvium scarring burn alopecia tissue expansion local flap reconstruction acute hair loss plastic surgeons scalp reconstruction TE

TLDR A woman had temporary hair loss after scalp surgery, which is a rare but self-healing condition that surgeons should recognize to avoid wrong treatment.

The document presents a case of a 43-year-old woman with scarring burn alopecia on the left parietal area of her scalp, who underwent tissue expansion and local flap reconstruction. Despite the successful surgery, she experienced acute hair loss 12 days post-operation, identified as Telogen Effluvium (TE). TE is a rare, self-limiting condition that can occur after surgery or stressful events. It's crucial for plastic surgeons to recognize this condition, especially during scalp reconstruction, to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary or harmful treatments. The most effective treatment for TE is patient reassurance.

View this study on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Telogen Effluvium: A Comprehensive Review

56 citations, August 2019 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

The document concludes that Telogen Effluvium is a hair loss disorder that can be assessed with the modified wash test and may be treated with clobetasol foam, with patient management being important.

research Expert Consensus on the Management of Telogen Effluvium in India

19 citations, January 2019 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Indian dermatologists recommend treating common hair loss with a balanced diet, stress reduction, mild shampoos, and sometimes minoxidil and supplements.

research Alopecia in General Medicine

13 citations, February 2016 in “Clinical Medicine”

The document concludes that diagnosing and treating hair loss is complex and requires understanding its psychological effects and underlying causes, while also calling for more research and new treatments.

research Telogen Effluvium Need Not Recur

1 citations, October 2013 in “A & A case reports”

Hair loss from telogen effluvium may not happen again after another surgery.

Clinical and Histological Challenge in the Differential Diagnosis of Diffuse Alopecia: Female Androgenetic Alopecia, Telogen Effluvium and Alopecia Areata – Part I

research Clinical and Histological Challenge in the Differential Diagnosis of Diffuse Alopecia: Female Androgenetic Alopecia, Telogen Effluvium and Alopecia Areata – Part I

29 citations, October 2012 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia”

Diagnosing hair loss disorders needs clinical, dermoscopic, and histological differences, and checking menstrual cycle, weight changes, drug therapy, and nail changes.

research An Algorithmic Approach for Reconstruction of Burn Alopecia

22 citations, August 2010 in “Annals of Plastic Surgery”

The study concluded that reconstructive surgery for burn alopecia should be tailored to the scar's size and quality, with different methods recommended for different cases.

research Successful Hair Transplantation of Recalcitrant Alopecia Areata of the Scalp

7 citations, September 2008 in “Dermatologic surgery”

Hair transplantation can successfully treat stubborn alopecia areata.

Related Research

4 / 4 results

research The Latest Innovations in Hair Transplantation

32 citations, July 2011 in “Facial Plastic Surgery”

New hair transplant methods offer more natural results and better graft survival, with ongoing research to increase donor hair options.

research Basic Hair Transplantation: 2007

15 citations, December 2007 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Hair transplantation has improved with techniques that increase graft survival and patient satisfaction for more natural results.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Medical and Surgical Treatments

9 citations, February 2005 in “The Journal of Men's Health & Gender”

Finasteride effectively treats male hair loss, increasing length and thickness.

research Does the Recipient Site Influence the Hair Growth Characteristics in Hair Transplantation?

24 citations, September 2002 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

The place where hair is transplanted can affect its growth and survival rates.