Characterization and Risk Factors of Folliculitis after Hair Transplantation: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Postoperative folliculitis is a common complication of hair transplantation (HT) requiring effective preventive interventions. This study characterized postoperative folliculitis and determined risk factors in patients underwent HT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1317 patients who underwent HT and completed 9-month follow-up between January 2018 and June 2021 at four medical centers. The incidence of postoperative folliculitis and patient demographics were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors, and the characteristics of different types of folliculitis were compared. Results: The overall incidence of postoperative folliculitis was 12.11%, and clinical characteristics varied among the different types of folliculitis. Surgery in summer (odds ratio [OR], 1.772, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–2.992), number of transplant grafts ≥4000 (OR: 4.818, 95% CI: 1.45–16.014), transplant density >45 grafts per/cm 2 (OR: 2.152, 95% CI: 1.376–3.367), and first nursing time >3 days (OR: 1.555, 95% CI: 1.088–2.223) were the main risk factors for postoperative folliculitis. Conclusions: Postoperative folliculitis after HT presents different characteristics. Surgical factors and postoperative nursing were demonstrated to be related to folliculitis. Therefore, we propose a preventive folliculitis model based on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors.