Intricacies of the single-scar technique for donor harvesting in hair transplantation surgery

BACKGROUND. Although single-scar techniques have been published and are used by approximately half of all surgeons, this approach is not as common as one might suspect. OBJECTIVE. The objective is to demonstrate several surgical gems that make the single-scar donor technique a viable method that can be performed by the vast majority of hair restoration surgeons. METHODS. The author presents various techniques such as postauricular skin elevation, subcutaneous undermining of the nape scalp, debulking of underlying scar tissue, temporary staple closure, and permanent double-layered closure using magnification (preferably 2.5 × or greater). All of these contribute to a loose closure with an aesthetically pleasing single donor scar after multiple surgeries. RESULTS. Utilizing the various techniques described in this article, the author has been able to achieve a cosmetically attractive single scar after multiple surgeries in the vast majority of patients. CONCLUSION. An aesthetically pleasing single, thin donor scar is preferable to multiple scars or a thick single scar at the donor area after multiple hair restoration surgical procedures. The author presents several methods that help hair restoration surgeons conquer some of the obstacles that have deterred them from performing a single-scar technique with consistently excellent results.