Outcomes of staple closure of the donor area during hair transplant by follicular unit transfer

Abstract

Background:Donor area closure in hair transplantation by follicular unit transfer (FUT) is being done by various techniques. This study aims to assess the outcomes of staple closure for donor area in FUT.Aim:To study the outcome, efficacy and complications of staples in donor area closure for FUT.Materials and Methods:A total of 50 consecutive patients who underwent staple closure for donor area in FUT were included in the study and their data were collected retrospectively. Patients were followed up one year after the surgery and photographic documentation of the scar at the donor site was done. Objective measurement of the width of the scar was done for all the patients.Results:The average length of the donor area was 22 cm. The average width of the scar was 1.82 mm. There was no infection or tissue necrosis at the staple closure site in any of the patients.Conclusion:Staple closure resulted in cosmetically acceptable scar, but post operative discomfort was the major limitation. The potential to conserve the hair follicles along the line of closure makes using staples worthwhile if conservation of follicles is the goal.

Single-Layer vs. Double-Layer Donor Scalp Wound Closure in Strip Harvest.

“…were not noted. The study conducted by Muthuvel et al [13] in skin closure with staples only (single-layer), the average width of the scar was 1.82 mm (range, 1-4 mm) which is 15.4% more than the average scar noted in the current series (i.e., 1.54 mm) [13]. More importantly the maximum scar width was 1.9 mm in the current study.…”

To cryo or not to cryo? A persistent scalp lesion

“…Using staples rather than sutures lessens the risk of tissue and hair follicle strangulation. 6 Figure-ofeight pulley stitches (used alone or with staples) are another good option on the highly vascularised scalp. 7 Mohs surgery was unlikely to have conferred a higher cure rate, so while it is a good choice for cosmetically and anatomically sensitive areas, and where tissue preservation may be of concern, it is a labour-intensive and costly procedure and was deemed unnecessary in this instance.…”

Donor harvesting: Strip dissection

“…Also, other main disadvantage with staple closure is poor hemostasis, poor closure, and relatively larger postoperative scar as compared to suture closure. [910]…”