Follicular microautotransplantation in the treatment of patients with scalp scarring defects

Objective: to evaluate the efficiency of follicular microautotransplantation in the treatment of scarring alopecia.Subjects and methods. The results of surgical treatment were analyzed in 62 patients with scalp scars at various sites after injuries, burns, and surgery. Surgical treatment was performed using follicular microautotransplantation. The surgery was made as an outpatient procedure (the patients did not need hospitalization) and it involved 4 basic stages. The efficiency of the surgical treatment for scarring alopecia was evaluated, by analyzing its early and late results. Gender, age, etiology, and scar time did not affect the results of the treatment.Results. The early surgical results were assessed from indicators, such as the proportion of surviving grafts and the quality of restored hair. The late results were followed up for at least 9 months. The maximum follow-up was 2.8 years. The engraftment rate of transplanted follicles averaged 93.8%; it was 96.6% for a normotrophic scar.Conclusion. Transfer of own hair by follicular microautotransplantation is an effective surgical treatment in patients with scalp scarring defects; it yields a good cosmetic effect and substantially improves quality of life in patients with scarring alopecia