The micropulsed 1444-nm neodymium-doped lipolysis laser exhibits favorable characteristics for novel application in facial contouring. The study described herein is the first clinical report of laser-assisted facial contouring (LAFC). We retrospectively reviewed records of 478 LAFC patients (mean age 52) who underwent contouring of 1278 individual mid- and lower facial treatment sites over 18 months. Along with clinical assessment, study parameters evaluated among "original" and "modified" (where protocol updates included deep dermal soft tissue coagulation as an optional step) protocol groups included laser power, pulse energy, and total energy delivery as well as lipoaspirate volume at each treatment site. Mean power and pulse energy were similar (within 5%) and total energy use was greater (70% higher for mid- and lower face) in the original protocol group. Lipoaspirate volume was similar for both groups for the midface (within 10%) but elevated in the modified protocol group for the lower face (40% higher). Treatment complications were observed in 47 of 363 treatment sites (13%) in the original and in 12 of 915 treatment sites (1%) in the modified protocol group with the majority (63%) of the complications comprising over- versus undercorrections of desired tissue contour. Clinical efficacy varied with improvements of mid- and/or lower facial contour ranging from marginal to subtle to very apparent. LAFC as detailed herein is a novel treatment modality that enables selective soft tissue removal for greater precision in three-dimensional contouring of the face. Protocol modifications based on laboratory and observed tissue photothermodynamics have improved LAFC safety.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is the culmination of decades of refinement and evolution of hair transplantation techniques. Hair naturally grows in groups of one to four individual follicles separated by intervening soft tissue. These clumps or groups of hairs are termed FOLLICULAR UNITS. FUT uses microscopic dissection to separate these units for transplantation in a fashion that most closely resembles naturally occurring hair. FUT has grown to become recognized by many prominent hair restoration surgeons as the state-of-the-art method of hair replacement surgery for both male and female pattern alopecia. Although larger punch grafts, scalp flaps, and alopecia reductions may play a role in certain cases, FUT achieves results that are difficult to differentiate from naturally occurring hair. The central attributes of the technique are the provision of natural-appearing hairlines with reasonable density together with low morbidity and minimal "downtime." Nevertheless, the technique is only as effective as the technician, and results are heavily dependent on the forethought of the architect.
To evaluate and compare past and present hair replacement techniques of standard grafts, minigrafts, micrografts, scalp reduction, scalp flaps, strip harvesting, and punch harvesting procedures with regard to aesthetic improvement, effectiveness, postoperative pain, and complications.Design: Three hundred surveys were mailed randomly to patients who had undergone hair replacement over the last 3 decades. The questionnaire asked patients to rate the level of postoperative results and complications in several comparison groups with regard to the following factors: itching, pain, swelling, scarring, bleeding, altered sensation, poor growth, color and texture, infection, hairline, and natural appearance. Each factor was rated by the patients on a scale of 0 to 3 (0, none [best]; 1, minimal; 2, moderate; and 3, worst [severe]).Setting: Private facial plastic surgery practice.Methods: A hypothesis about each set of survey questions was formed based on general trends in patient responses, also known as the null hypothesis; 2 tests were conducted for each of the survey questions to determine the statistical trend with a certain level of confi-dence. The weighted arithmetic mean of the expected response was used for the varying number of patients responding to each question. Using the 2 test, the formulated hypotheses can be accepted or rejected based on the observed and expected responses.Results: Between 1981Between -1990Between and 1991Between -1996, there was a reduction of 38 percentage points in the number of standard graft procedures performed, an increase of 31 percentage points in the number of minigraft procedures, and an increase of 48 percentage points in the number of micrograft procedures. The complication rate was 31% lower for minigraft procedures compared with standard graft procedures and 29% lower for micrograft procedures compared with minigraft procedures. The complication rate was 59% lower for strip harvesting procedures compared with punch harvesting procedures.Conclusions: Newer hair replacement techniques have improved aesthetic results, with lower morbidity and complication rates. These improvements are responsible for the increase in the level of satisfaction of patients undergoing hair replacement surgery today.
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