Clinical Application of Follicular Unit Extraction in Androgenetic Alopecia

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical application of follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplantation in male androgen alopecia (AGA). Methods From August 2016 to September 2018, male AGA patients operated with FUE hair transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.At one year after transplantation, clinical curative effect was evaluated by the survival hair density and follicles rate of FUE transplantation, meanwhile surgical complications, patient satisfaction rate and life quality score were measured and analyzed. Results A total of 126 male AGA patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included, with average age was (37±9.05) years and average disease course was (10±2.76) years.According to the Hamilton-Norwood grade standard, there were 5 grade Ⅱpatients, 55 grade Ⅲ patients, 54 grade Ⅳ patients, 10 grade Ⅴ patients, and 2 grade Ⅵ patients.At one year after transplantation, viable hair density on the anterior hairline and the top of the head was (65±7) FUs/cm2 and (43±4) FUs/cm2, respectively.The survival rate of hair follicles was more than 90%, even more than 95% among the 107 AGA patients.The effective rate was 100%(126/126), no serious complications occurred, and the satisfaction rate of patients was 97.6%(123/126).Besides, the scores of physical function, psychological function, social function and material life status of 126 AGA patients were significantly increased than those before transplantation (all P < 0.01). Conclusions FUE hair transplantation has significant clinical effect, and is highly safe and effective.With the potential to dramatically improve life quality, it can be widely applied in treatment of AGA.

Keywords

• androgenetic alopecia
• follicular unit extraction
• hair transplantation
• hair follicle
• hair density