title: Functional outcomes of single follicular hair graft technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the percentage survival of follicular hair graft technique and the factors influencing it.
  
  
  METHODS
  A non-interventional descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plastic Surgery Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex from November 2003 to April 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 patients were included in the study with pattern of baldness ranging from type II to type VII. Age ranged from 24 years to 50. Hair bearing skin strips were harvested from occipital area and sliced under magnification into grafts of various sizes. Either punch or slit knife was used for making holes in recipient area and grafting follicles. Patients were followed at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Graft survival was measured at 6 months postoperative interval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 7 patients graft survival was above 90%; in 12 patients above 80% but less than 90%; in 7 patients between 70 and 80%; in 2 patients above 60% but less than 70%; in 2 patients less than 20% which was considered as failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survival was greater with punch method than use of slit knife. Chances of failure increased with the large size session, larger grafts and unknown factors that need further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. shah_jee29@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Syed Asif
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.lastname: Obaidullah
authors.lastname: Tehmeedullah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome