Jung Won Shin1, Soon Hyo Kwon1, Sung Ae Kim1, Joo Yong Kim2, Jung Im Na1, Kyoung Chan Park1, Chang Hun Huh3. 1. Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea. 2. Mojerim Hair Clinic, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: chhuh@snu.ac.kr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recently, an automated robotic hair restoration device was developed and is increasingly being used for hair restoration. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze the hair follicles of Korean patients that were harvested by a hair restoration robotic device. METHODS: Data were reviewed from a total of 22 patients who underwent robotic follicular unit (FU) extraction hair restoration surgery at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Hair follicles collected from 3 grids in the central parts of the safe donor zone of each patient were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of harvested FUs was 5213, and the total number of collected FUs was 4955. The average yield was 95.1% ± 3.5%. Among the 12,017 harvested hairs, 590 hairs were transected and the average transection rate was 4.91% ± 2.9%. FUs of double hairs made up the majority of harvested FUs (44.1%), followed by triple hairs (31.9%). The transection rate increases in FUs that contain multiple hairs. LIMITATIONS: A relatively small sample size and lack of comparative study with conventional FU extraction modalities are limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The robotic system qualifies for use in hair restoration surgery. It efficiently harvests not only single hairs but multiple hairs as well.
BACKGROUND: Recently, an automated robotic hair restoration device was developed and is increasingly being used for hair restoration. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze the hair follicles of Korean patients that were harvested by a hair restoration robotic device. METHODS: Data were reviewed from a total of 22 patients who underwent robotic follicular unit (FU) extraction hair restoration surgery at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Hair follicles collected from 3 grids in the central parts of the safe donor zone of each patient were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of harvested FUs was 5213, and the total number of collected FUs was 4955. The average yield was 95.1% ± 3.5%. Among the 12,017 harvested hairs, 590 hairs were transected and the average transection rate was 4.91% ± 2.9%. FUs of double hairs made up the majority of harvested FUs (44.1%), followed by triple hairs (31.9%). The transection rate increases in FUs that contain multiple hairs. LIMITATIONS: A relatively small sample size and lack of comparative study with conventional FU extraction modalities are limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The robotic system qualifies for use in hair restoration surgery. It efficiently harvests not only single hairs but multiple hairs as well.