The Study Of Restoring Hair Loss By Different Hair Transplantation Methods

Objective: From 1822 till present, early document of “hair transplantation” reveals that there are two major surgical methods of hair transplantation, the follicular unit transplantation(FUT) and the follicular unit extraction technique(FUE). Meanwhile, FUE hair transplantation has been gaining steady popularity over the recent years. Both methods have been conducted and evaluated in the department of plastic surgery. Evaluation primarily focused on discussing surgical procedures; comparing the advantages and disadvantages; finding new approach to treating hair loss.Method: 11 patients with different causes of hair loss were selected as test subjects,(5 of them were performed by FUT, 4 of them were performed by FUE, and 2 of them was performed by FUT + FUE). Every process of hair transplantation was closely monitored including area of donor site, extraction and preservation of hair follicle. Evaluation on efficacy of hair transplantation was drawn after analyzing varies factors including surgical time、staff requirement、graft survival rates、postoperative hair restoration and postoperative feedbacks.Results: Most patients performed by FUT have achieved a natural hair appearance, only a few cases of reoperation were undertaken to increase hair density. This surgical method requires 4-6 surgeons to operate; the procedure can be time-consuming and exhausting. Postoperative feedbacks indicate that the main disadvantage of the FUT procedure is the risk of linear scar at the site where the donor strip is excised; postoperative care such as wound dressing and removal of stitches are required. On the other hand, FUE procedures offer patients with satisfactory aesthetic result, but it has a larger demand for reoperation compared to those with FUT; The extraction instruments used in FUE are ironically known to cause damage to follicular units; FUE procedure requires 2-3 surgeons to operate; Postoperative feedbacks indicate that FUE requires no postoperative care, but the overall operation time is relatively long toendure.Conclusion: Both worldwide-used hair transplantation methods in the treatment of hair loss, has its own advantages and disadvantages. Requirement for reoperation to intensify hair density had been detected in both methods. The advantages and disadvantages of hair transplantation revolve around finding the best surgical procedure for patient’s hair restoration treatment. Making best effort in trying to meet the patient’s requirements and acquire desirable clinical result in one treatment session is the ultimate goal.(Combination of FUE and FUT in treating patients with extreme large pool of hair loss has proven to achieve desirable result). But no matter which treatment one chooses, the process of hair transplantation requires doctors with great patience or responsibility and proficient clinical practice.