Robotic follicular unit extraction in hair transplantation.

Overview

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a shift toward minimally invasive procedures. In hair transplantation surgery, this trend has manifested with the emergence of follicular unit extraction (FUE). Recently, a robot has been introduced for FUE procedures. OBJECTIVE: To determine the transection rate of a robotic FUE device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors discuss the procedure, technical requirements, optimal candidates, advantages, and disadvantages of robotic FUE compared with the standard ellipse. RESULTS: Optimal candidates for robotic FUE are those with dark hair color who can sit for 45 to 120 minutes and are willing to shave a large area for donor harvesting. The main advantages of robotic FUE compared with the standard ellipse are its minimally invasive nature and the lack of a linear scar. The average transection rate with the robot to date is 6.6% (range, 0.4%-32.1%). CONCLUSION: The robot is a new and innovative method for FUE hair transplantation of which hair transplant surgeons should be aware.

Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] Journal