title: Optimizing Skin Grafting Using Hair-derived Skin Grafts: The Healing Potential of Hair Follicle Pluripotent Stem Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A man in his 60s with recurrent venous leg ulcers (VLUs) presented with an 18-month history of a VLU on his medial left leg measuring 59.3 cm(2). He had been treated with multi- component compression bandages without significant decrease in ulcer size. Given the ulcer's size, refractory nature, and history of recurrence, the authors sought to optimize the patient's healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approximately 23% of the total wound was treated using punch grafts (PGs) harvested from different locations on the body based on hair density using the "stick and place" method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One month later, a 56% reduction in ulcer size was observed, especially in the area that received hair-bearing skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Punch grafts from hair-bearing skin are a viable source of follicular stem cells and may be superior to PG from nonhair-bearing skin for the treatment of chronic wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Joshua D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Baquerizo-Nole
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Freya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Driessche
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.affiliation: Hair Transplant Institute Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nusbaum
authors.affiliation: Clinica Mediteknia Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kirsner
mesh_terms: D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000379:methods; D019737:Transplants / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing