Comparison of tissue loss by different punches: A new A-design.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the amount of tissue loss using different FUE punches.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study was conducted in 5 patients undergoing hair restoration surgery by FUE. Four different kinds of punches were used, that is, sharp, blunt, serrated, and new "A-design." All the punches had a total cutting edge of 0.8 mm. In each patient, 4 punches were used to make insertion at right angle with the skin. Immediately after the punch use, the diameter of the hole was measured. The same areas were also measured after 24 hours and after 1 month. The data were collected and analyzed by Multiple t test (with Bonferroni's correction).

RESULTS

The average size of the wound immediately at the end of the procedure was 0.826 mm for sharp, 0.858 mm for blunt, 0.892 mm for serrated, and 0.932 mm for A-design. Similarly, the wounds decreased to 0.752, 0.778, 0.774, and 0.696 mm for sharp, blunt, serrated, and A-design, respectively, after 24 hours. The final wound/scar size was 0.640 mm for punch, 0.660 mm for blunt punch, 0.668 mm for serrated punch, and 0.598 mm for A-design punch after 1 month.

CONCLUSION

The new A-design resulted in the minimum scar size after 1 month.