▶ Previous Artlcle : #8. Separation and Storage of Hair Follicles

 

There are generally two methods for harvesting hair follicles from donor site: follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS, Figure 1) and follicular unit extraction (FUE, Figure 2).

 

Figure 1.

 

Figure 2.

 

In 1930s, Dr. Okuda in Japan used punch to harvest hair follicles, which can be considered as an FUE. Punch had been used for hair transplantation until 1960s. With the introduction of minigraft, follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and megasession, the trend was moved toward the incision and suture of the donor site. Since 2000, the number of procedures has increased with the introduction of FUE. According to the recent report by the ISHRS, FUSS accounts for more than 80% and FUE about 20% around the world.

 

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For donor harvesting using FUSS, donor site density, hair thickness, anagen/telogen ratio, hair color (white hair) and texture (curliness), scalp elasticity and thickness, and the area to be transplanted should be determined first. FUE, on the other hand, has fewer variables to be considered, making it an attractive option for doctors when they start out in hair transplantation. Most professionals, however, realized that FUE was not as easy as it seems and not without limitations.

 

Comparison of the Two Methods

 

FUSS

A lot of hair follicles can be obtained by a single procedure. Patients with severe hair loss can benefit greatly from only a single procedure.

Harvested hair follicles are separated by technicians with magnifier, resulting in lower follicle transaction rate.

Hair follicles are separated by technicians not by doctor, which may reduce doctor’s physical fatigue but increase labor cost.

Patients may be reluctant to receive FUSS due to the linear scars, but the scars can be almost unnoticeable if well sutured with a proper method.

FUSS is more frequently associated with pain and paresthesia in the donor site, compared to FUE.

 

-To be continued-

 

▶ Next Artlcle : #9-2. Donor Harvesting Technique: FUS(S) VS. FUE