A New Tool to Maximize Donor Harvesting With Safer Closure.
BACKGROUND
Scalp laxity is a major factor in achieving the maximum number of grafts in donor harvesting during hair restoration surgery. Proper assessment is important for each individual but especially so in patients presenting tight scalp.


OBJECTIVE
To validate cross beam laser (CBL) for scalp laxity assessment in comparison with Mayer elasticity scale (MES).


METHODS
In a retrospective study of 165 patients, both CBL and MES were used to evaluate scalp laxity in vertical plane at the center and lateral area before surgery. The real width (RW) of donor strip during surgery was considered the gold standard.


RESULTS
Spearman correlation coefficient revealed that the CBL width was significantly correlated with the MES width in the following subgroups: (1) subjects undergoing their first session, (2) subsequent session patients, and (3) patients who required maximum number of grafts. Although the CBL width was statistically significant when compared with the RW in certain areas, whereas the MES width was statistically significant in all areas, the differences between the CBL width and the RW were minimal and clinically insignificant.


CONCLUSIONS
The accuracy of scalp laxity measurements using the CBL procedure establishes CBL as a reliable tool for hair restoration surgery.
*Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand; †Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; ‡DHT Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chinmanat
C
Tangjaturonrusamee
Pinyo
P
Rattanaumpawan
Prapote
P
Asawaworarit
Damkerng
D
Pathomvanich
D000328:Adult; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*