METHODS of HARVESTING GRAFTS FROM DONOR SITE:
Secrets revealed in Hair transplant by hair transplant surgeon in Surat
There are two techniques of hair follicle harvesting:
- STRIP METHOD or FUT- Gold standard- Time tested method- >35 yrs
- F.U.E. [Follicular Unit Extraction]-New method- >10 yrs
What is FUT (Follicular unit transplantation)?
Follicular Unit Hair Transplant FUT involves the removal of a strip of superficial layers of hair bearing scalp from the back and sides of the head (donor area). The strip is dissected into micro strips [ the process known as “Slivering”]. These micro strips are dissected to fine follicular units with the help of digital microscopes. These hair follicles [having 1,2,3 or more hairs in each follicle] are transplanted on to the bald area (recipient area).
The main advantage of this method is with this method one can cover wider areas as it gives scope for obtaining more number of grafts in a single session. If the donor area permits, one can transplant even up to 6000 follicular units in a single session. In following case, we have done 5400 hair follicle transplant with FUT.
Centers that use microscopes will have lesser chance of graft wastage (transection):
Although this method leaves a linear scar in the donor area, by virtue of the latest advancements in the technology, this can be minimized by a technique called tricophytic closure. Even new hair growth is seen through it in majority of the patients
Only centres that have highly skilled surgical assistants with sufficient microscopes can carry out this procedure. This method is the time tested one (gold standard) in hair restoration.
Scarring of Donor site is in-evitable regards less the technique used. FUT leaves behind a linear scar. FUE leaves behind thousands of tiny scars. Usually scars of the procedure are well hidden & inconspicuous.
Badly done hair transplant always leaves behind bad scars, whether it is FUT or FUE technique
