Hair follicle punch grafts in hard-to-heal wounds: A monocenter study and patient survey

Background and AimsChronic wounds present a growing challenge in the aging population, resulting in an extended course of treatment and an increased influx of patients with recalcitrant wounds seeking admission to hospitals. Furthermore, the general trend in patient care is toward simple and inexpensive treatment methods, feasible in an outpatient setting with little material costs. This retrospective case study aims to elucidate the operative procedure and outcomes associated with hair follicle unit transplantation utilizing punch grafts from the scalp for the management of hard-to-heal wounds.MethodsA cohort of 28 patients, comprising 20 males and eight females, with a mean age of 72.61 years (range: 48-89) and an average wound area of 82.49 cm2, underwent dissection of punch grafts containing hair follicles (2-3 mm in diameter) from the scalp. Subsequently, these grafts were transplanted into the wound bed. The retrospective evaluation of ulcer healing encompassed photo documentation and clinical records, while patient satisfaction was assessed through structured questionnaires.ResultsIn 78.6% (22) of the cases, a favorable impact on wound healing was observed, characterized by epithelization, and in 57.1% (16) of the patients, complete wound closure was achieved. With the exception of one donor site, all other sites healed without complications. The patient survey indicated that the majority of individuals subjected to the procedure did not perceive it as painful or time-consuming. Notably, 81% (17) of individuals expressed a willingness to undergo the treatment again. Even in challenging wound conditions, such as pyoderma gangrenosum, our method demonstrated a positive effect on wound healing.ConclusionWithin our cohort, the utilization of hair follicle units in the management of hard-to-heal wounds resulted in either complete or partial wound closure for the majority of patients, accompanied by minimal morbidity, reduced operation time, and a low incidence of complications and associated costs.