title: Combining vertical strips and the ellipse in saving time and follicles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various methods have been tried in collecting donor hair for transplantation. Punch grafts, horizontal strips using a multi-bladed knife, and elliptical excisions have been tried with varying success. Each has advantages, while each also has disadvantages.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to develop a technique of harvesting donor hair that would decrease the time to prepare mini- and micrografts while minimizing damage to the follicles.
  
  
  METHODS
  The multi-bladed knife was used to create vertical slits, combined with an elliptical excision to remove the area en bloc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fewer follicles were damaged than when using the multi-bladed knife horizontally, and the preparation of mini- and micrografts took less time than with an elliptical excision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technique combines the advantages of the multi-bladed knife in saving time, and of the elliptical excision in reducing damage to the follicles. The disadvantages of using the multi-bladed knife in a horizontal manner and of taking only a large elliptical excision were eliminated.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas 75231, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Alkek
mesh_terms: D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013997:Time Factors; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*