Q: Can you please comment on the use of sutures verses staples in hair restoration procedures?
A: Sutures are great on non-hair bearing skin and allow perfect approximation of the wound edges, but on the scalp they can cause damage to hair follicles below the skin’s surface. The reason is that a running (continuous) suture traps hair follicles and when the skin swells (as it normally does after hair transplants) the trapped follicles can strangulate and die.
Since staples are placed individually – about ½ cm apart – they don’t strangle the tissue. This allows the blood supply to flow freely to the wound edge permitting the blood’s oxygen to reach the follicles in the stapled area and minimizing the risk of any hair loss. The unimpeded blood flow also facilitates wound healing and can sometimes result in a finer scar, particularly in a tight scalp.
For these reasons, we now use staples in most of our hair transplants.
Topic: Sutures & StaplesTags: Blood Supply to Scalp / Hair Follicle / Mechanical Trauma / Scalp Healing / Scalp Scar / Surgical Staples / Sutures / Tight Scalp
Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 8:32 am
Rate This Post:
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Share/Save This Post:
Other Posts in this Topic:
- Does Hair Transplant Use Sutures or Surgical Staples?
Q: Do you currently prefer sutures or staples? A: Staples, because they conserve more hair.... - What is Benefit of Staples in Closing Hair Transplant Donor Incision?
Q: I have heard that staples are uncomfortable after the hair transplant, why do doctors use them? A:... - After Hair Transplant, Can One Travel on Airplane with Surgical Staples?
Q: I'll be traveling from New York to Cincinnati the week after my hair transplant. Will I be able to... - Why Change from Sutures to Surgical Staples in Hair Transplant Procedure?
Q: I recall that you wrote an article about Monocryl for the donor closure in hair transplants. Why are...
