A novel application of the infrared coagulator in hair transplantation : Significant reduction of width of the donor site wound

The infrared coagulator, a by-product of laser technology, has been used in dermatology in a variety of settings. During hair transplantation sessions, we observed a significant reduction of the donor ellipse width while performing hemostasis with the infrared coagulator. Quantitative assessment of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dermatologic surgery 1998-10, Vol.24 (10), p.1079-1082
Main Authors: WARMUTH, I. P, MASSEY, R. A, SAINTIL, M, KATZ, B. E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Hair Follicle - transplantation
Hemostasis, Surgical - instrumentation
Humans
Infrared Rays
Laser Coagulation - instrumentation
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Skin plastic surgery
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Transplantation, Autologous
Wound Healing
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Summary:The infrared coagulator, a by-product of laser technology, has been used in dermatology in a variety of settings. During hair transplantation sessions, we observed a significant reduction of the donor ellipse width while performing hemostasis with the infrared coagulator. Quantitative assessment of the donor wound width after infrared coagulator use, and correlation to the number of previous transplant sessions and patients' age. Twenty-four patients (22 men, two women) underwent hair transplantation. The infrared coagulator was utilized for hemostasis with a pulse duration of 2.5 seconds. The infrared coagulator produced an average donor area decrease of 42%, while achieving rapid hemostasis. No correlation was demonstrated to number of previous transplant sessions or patients' age. The infrared coagulator significantly decreases the donor wound width while providing hemostasis. Advantages include the potential of larger donor strip harvest, minimal tissue manipulation, and less traumatic closure.
ISSN:1076-0512
1524-4725
DOI:10.1111/j.1524-4725.1998.tb04078.x