Chronologic improvement in hair yield with follicular unit excision with changes in punch devices: A 10-year experience of a single center

Abstract

Follicular unit excision (FUE), which is a newer hair transplant procedure was thought to be only usable in limited areas at the beginning. However, it is the most preferred technique these days. It is known transection rates have decreased with punch technology (and experience) over the years. We analyzed the data from so-so many male patients who underwent hair transplantation by FUE method at our clinic retrospectively to elucidate how the development of punch technology affected the number of total grafts and FU containing multiple hairs. Between the years 2011 and 2020, male hair transplant patients operated with the FUE method at the author's dermatology clinic, was investigated retrospectively. Overall 1415 cases were included in the study. Total graft numbers and 1–4 hair FUs were calculated. There was a statistically significant difference in terms of number of total grafts, one hair follicular unit (I FU) three hair follicular unit (III FU) distributions according to operation year and punch type (p < 0.05). The serrated punch resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of total grafts and the trumpet punch resulted in a significant increase in the number of 3FU grafts. Our study has shown that hair yield has been increased with new punch technologies. With an increasing hair yield by the aid of evolving punch technology, hair transplantation with the FUE method has become the first choice for hair transplantation preferred by both doctors and patients. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.