Postoperative (Pressure) Alopecia: Report of a Case After Elective Cosmetic Surgery

Postoperative permanent pressure alopecia

“…Most cases have been reported to be self-limiting with recovery within 12 weeks [4]. However, there have also been reported cases of scarring alopecia (fibrosis with loss of anagen hairs), but such cases have been intubated for more than 24 h. None intubated less than 17 h developed permanent alopecia [16,17]. Our patient, however, developed permanent alopecia despite an intubation duration of 13.5 h.…”

“…Less frequently, it has been reported after breast cosmetic/ reconstructive [10], transplant [11], vitreoretinal [12] and orthognathic surgery [13]. These reported cases share common characteristics of either prolonged surgery, injurious positioning or the application of a tight headband.…”

What Is Your Diagnosis?

“…The degree of alopecia correlates with the length of the surgical procedure as well as the amount of exerted pressure. 2,3 Intraoperative hypotension, considerable blood loss, and hypothermia can further exacerbate resultant ischemia. 4 Early signs of pressure-induced necrosis are seen as edema and induration, often with overlying crusting.…”

Headband pressure alopecia: clinical, dermoscopy, and histopathology findings in four patients

“…Pressure alopecia (PA) is a particular form of hair loss that usually occurs after surgeries or prolonged hospitalization in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) . In post‐operative PA, clinical findings vary according to the degree of skin hypoxia.…”