Affiliation:
1. Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China From the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University Guangzhou China
2. Barley Microneedle Hair Transplant Hospital Beijing China
3. Department of Plastic Surgery Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang China
4. Surgery Department of Burn Plastics and Wound Repair Affliated Hospital of Youjang Medical University for Nationalities Baise City China
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundRecipient area scalp necrosis is considered a potential complication of hair transplantation, but has rarely been reported. A small number of patients have developed scalp necrosis after hair transplantation with the widely used Follicular unit excision (FUE) technique. There are no guidelines to prevent and manage this complication. The aim of this study was to provide an insight into the pathogenesis, prevention, and management of scalp necrosis following hair transplantation.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2021, among more than 10 000 patients who underwent hair transplantation, only three developed scalp necrosis in our clinical experience, besides, one patient transferred to our hospital because of scalp necrosis after undergoing hair transplantation. According to the disease etiology and patients' symptom, a combination of wound management and antimicrobial therapy was employed. This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Nanfang Hospital.ResultsOf the four patients, three received timely treatment and had a good prognosis. Necrosis became confined and healed within 2–3 weeks. Grafts in the lesion area partially survived. In case 4, due to improper treatment at the early stage, the lesion developed extensively and deeply, which not only delayed wound healing, but also resulted in complete loss of grafts.ConclusionPreoperative prophylaxis, timely diagnosis, and immediate treatment of scalp necrosis can prevent serious complications and reduce morbidity after hair transplantation.