title: A novel application of the infrared coagulator in hair transplantation. Significant reduction of width of the donor site wound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The infrared coagulator, a by-product of laser technology, has been used in dermatology in a variety of settings. During hair transplantation sessions, we observed a significant reduction of the donor ellipse width while performing hemostasis with the infrared coagulator.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Quantitative assessment of the donor wound width after infrared coagulator use, and correlation to the number of previous transplant sessions and patients' age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients (22 men, two women) underwent hair transplantation. The infrared coagulator was utilized for hemostasis with a pulse duration of 2.5 seconds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The infrared coagulator produced an average donor area decrease of 42%, while achieving rapid hemostasis. No correlation was demonstrated to number of previous transplant sessions or patients' age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The infrared coagulator significantly decreases the donor wound width while providing hemostasis. Advantages include the potential of larger donor strip harvest, minimal tissue manipulation, and less traumatic closure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Warmuth
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saintil
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000637:transplantation*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014945:Wound Healing