Determination of Scalp Vascular Topography by Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Comparison of Vascular Damage by Different Blades in Hair Transplantation

Abstract

Background: Although necrosis is a rare complication in hair transplantation, it is extremely traumatic for both the patient and surgeon and also has potential medicolegal consequence. Studies have shown that ischemia in the recipient bed is related to tissue damage caused by the instruments used and the number of grafts per cm². Objective: We aimed to measure the effects of different instruments on circulation by dividing the recipient area of hair grafts of the same person into 2 sides as right and left. Methods and Materials: Sapphire percutaneous blade was used on the right side, and a handmade razor slit was used on the left side in 12 male patients with consent. Subsequently, vascularity was evaluated with laser Doppler flowmetry. Results: Scalp vascularity has so far only been evaluated with macroanatomic studies in the literature. First, the authors evaluated the effect of local anesthesia and adrenaline-containing swelling fluids on vascularity with a Laser Doppler Flowmeter. Afterward, the tissue damage caused by sapphire percutaneous blades and handmade blades (obtained from razor blades) were quantitatively analyzed and compared with each other. Conclusions: Our results showed that handmade razor blades caused significantly less tissue damage.