Obtaining and Implanting Additional Grafts During a Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) Scar Revision Procedure?

This common question was asked by a member of our [tag]Hair Restoration[/tag] Social Community and Discussion Forums:

Years ago, I underwent [tag]follicular unit transplantation[/tag] ([tag]FUT[/tag]) and was never pleased with the resulting scar. I’m now researching [tag]strip scar[/tag] revision, and wondering if I should have additional grafts removed and implanted during the same procedure. I know this would most likely result in a larger strip removal, but is it worth it? What are the “pros and cons?”

In many cases, I completely understand the appeal of removing and implanting additional grafts during a [tag]scar revision procedure[/tag]. The patient is already at the [tag]hair transplant[/tag] clinic and a strip, whether still containing some viable [tag]follicular unit grafts[/tag] or simply scar tissue, is being removed regardless, so why not add additional density? Because of this, the topic of obtaining and implanting additional [tag]grafts[/tag] during scar revision is a popular topic on our discussion forums. In a recent thread, two hair restoration experts, recommended surgeon Dr. William Lindsey and Coalition surgeon Dr. Glenn Charles, were kind enough to add their opinions to the ongoing discussion:

It really depends on how wide the [tag]follicular unit transplantation scar[/tag] is and how the tightness of the scalp in the surrounding area. Has this hypothetical, or actual, patient been practicing [tag]scalp stretching exercises[/tag] to improve laxity? Is the next procedure going to have a two layer donor closure used to try and reduce the amount of tension at the wound margins? These are important questions to ask when weighing the pros and cons of harvesting and implanting additional [tag]follicular units[/tag] during scar revision. Regardless, maybe the donor strip could be made a little longer than the original to obtain some additional grafts for the next procedure.

Dr. Glenn Charles

It all depends on the width of your scar. Beware – the enemy of good is perfection. Meaning, if you’ve had a good hair transplant, just improve the scar.  If you try to get more hair and improve the scar, you may do neither one perfectly.

I’ve posted contradictory threads on this specific issue. One is something like “the double edged sword” encouraging just fixing the scar, and at the same time we’ve performed surgery on several patients who had, what I refer to as,  “hair greed” and were more interested in additional hair than obtaining the perfect scar. I’m up for either, as long as the patient knows the issues and understands the ramifications.

Dr. William Lindsey

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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