title: Rhomboid minigrafts in hair restoration surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The transplantation of large numbers of three- to five-hair minigrafts has superseded the use of traditional punch grafts in hair restoration surgery. The minigrafts are usually designed and cut in a square or rectangular shape for implantation into the recipient slits. Transplanting a large number of these grafts into the recipient slits can lead to a high frequency of complications, especially in cases in which there is a need for dense packing of grafts. The complications include excess graft compression resulting in extrusion or retraction into the slit. This in turn can lead to piggybacking or insertion of two grafts per slit with the resultant effect of cyst formation, cobblestoning, and hypertrophic scar formation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop an optimal shape of minigrafts to match the recipient slits.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors have calculated the optimum geometric configuration for a minigraft in a linear slit and have developed the correct cutting instrument and preparation technique for its production. This rhomboid minigraft design maximizes the graft stability in the slit and therefore its survival, and also minimizes the risk of complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The described technique shows that the transplanted rhomboid minigrafts remain well anchored in the recipient slits and results in an excellent clinical outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rhomboid minigrafting technique (1.5 x 1.5 mm in size) seems to accommodate the grafts better into the recipient slits than the standard shape rectangular minigrafts. It thereby better facilitates the insertion of the grafts in the slits and reduces the frequency of graft extrusion as well as graft compression.
authors.affiliation: Nordström Hospital for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Spraggs
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nordström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006197:Hair / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods