Microstrip Grafting

Abstract

The author presents his personal approach when performing a hair transplant session. As a solo practitioner performing the entire procedure, the author emphasizes the interest of standardized grafting with the use of the only undetectable minigraft of which he is aware. This surgical procedure combines several criteria: (1) The use of the microstrip grafts. These flat grafts are all of the same size. The microstrip grafts average 0.66 × 3 mm. The key role of the width of the graft in terms of aesthetic will be detailed. (2) All the grafts are cut the same way in one motion, to reduce minimize handling. (3) All slits are made with the same size instruments, which mimics the shape of the grafts. This instrument uses a "cutting-instant dilating" device to make the insertion easy and gentle. (4) Regular spacing between slits averaging <2-mm distance (12 microstrip grafts average/cm² or 52 hairs/cm²). (5) Planting also is standardized with a cm distance move, forward and backward, of the wrist and fingers from the moment the graft is grasped until its placement into the slit. Two sessions minimum must be planned for this technique, usually 6 weeks apart. As a result, the surgery is meant to be fast (700 grafts average performed in 3 hours or less by one surgeon alone without assistants) and the aesthetic result meant to be highly aesthetic without grafts being noticeable.