Extensive Scarring Alopecia Treated Through a Single Dense-Packing Follicular Unit Extraction Megasession

Abstract

BACKGROUND Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is becoming more popular in hair restoration. However, its potential for treating extensive scarring alopecia is unknown. METHODS Patients with scarring alopecia larger than 100 cm2 were enrolled from 2015 to 2018. After assessing scar quality regarding vascularity, pliability, and thickness, dense-packing megasession (DPM)-FUE was performed on high-quality recipient sites. Patients were followed up at 1 week and 12 months postoperatively to evaluate complications, survival rates of grafts, and patient satisfactions. Cases of nonscarring alopecia were reviewed as controls. RESULTS Fifty-two scarring alopecia and 55 nonscarring alopecia patients were enrolled. The mean scar area was 120 cm2, and the procedure required an average of 8 operative hours, with no difference between groups (p > .05). Graft amount and postoperative complications were similar as well (p > .05). The survival rate in scarring alopecia was lower than that in the control but was still 85% (p < .05). Follow-up photographs showed effective scar camouflage after DPM-FUE. Most patients were very satisfied with the final results (p > .05). CONCLUSION DPM-FUE is a safe and effective treatment for extensive scarring alopecia.

Treatment of scarring alopecia in children using follicular unit hair transplantation

“…However, the use of hair transplantation in young patients has rarely been reported. Follicular unit hair transplantation may be an effective, safe, and well‐tolerated treatment for scarring alopecia in children 6,7 …”

“…Follicular unit hair transplantation may be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for scarring alopecia in children. 6,7…”