An In vitro Study Comparing the Survival of Hair Follicles in Various Storage Media at Different Temperatures for Hair Transplant Procedure.

AIM: The purpose of this in vitro hair graft study was to better understand how different storage media affect the survival of hair follicles at different temperatures during a hair transplant procedure.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In this study, hair follicles (n = 60) were harvested from 3 healthy male volunteers. Follicles were randomly assigned to the following groups: Group A: Storage media phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). Group B: Storage media were placed at the following temperatures: 4°C, 26°C (room temperature), and 37°C (body temperature). The viability of hair follicles was checked using the explant culture method. Cell outgrowth was observed after incubation at 37°C in DMEM containing 10% FBS.

RESULTS

Explant cultures of hair follicles stored at 4°C and 26°C did not show outgrowth of the cells after 7 days of culture. Explant cultures of hair follicles stored at 37°C did show outgrowth of the cells after 7 days of culture. Furthermore, these study results indicated that 10% DMEM preserves hair follicles more effectively than PBS, PRP, and I-PRF.

CONCLUSION

According to the study's findings, freezing graft storage options might not be the best option. Instead of 4°C or room temperature 26°C, 37°C has been shown to improve hair graft survival. Furthermore, these study results indicated that 10% DMEM preserves hair follicles more effectively than PBS, PRP, and I-PRF. The study concluded that maintaining hair follicles in 10% DMEM at 37°C would prolong graft life and improve therapeutic outcomes.