A New Suture for Hair Transplantation: Poliglecaprone 25

Abstract

BACKGROUND The most common type of donor closure in hair transplantation is with nonabsorbable, running sutures, usually of nylon or polypropylene. This is accomplished with or without buried absorbable sutures. Another popular method of closure is with stainless steel staples. Each of these methods has benefits and limitations with respect to healing, comfort, and convenience for the patient. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to describe the use of poliglecaprone 25, a synthetic, absorbable, monofilament suture in hair transplantation surgery, to detail the suturing techniques needed to maximize the benefit of this suture, and to compare this material and suturing technique to a well-established form of closure, that of metal staples in a bilaterally controlled fashion. METHODS Poliglecaprone 25 is a synthetic, absorbable monofilament suture of low tissue reactivity. It was compared to closure with metal staples in a bilateral controlled study. One side of the donor area was closed with poliglecaprone 25 sutures using a running cutaneous stitch and the other side was closed with stainless steel staples. Patients were evaluated with regard to healing, postoperative discomfort, resultant surgical scar, and closure material preference. RESULTS Of the 22 patients studied, the following postoperative complaints were noted on the staples side: tenderness (12), itching (4), swelling (2), and scabbing (1). This compared to only one complaint of itching and one complaint of swelling on the poliglecaprone 25 side. Two patients had postoperative complaints of visibility of staples showing through their hair. Objective measurements revealed a wider scar overall on the staples side in six patients and wider scar on the suture side in two patients. The average scar width on the staples side measured 1.78 mm compared to 1.42 mm on the suture side. Fourteen of the 22 patients preferred poliglecaprone 25 for future procedures, 1 preferred metal staples, and 7 had no preference. Most patients stated that postoperative discomfort from the staples and the inconvenience and occasional pain associated with their removal was responsible for their decision. CONCLUSION Poliglecaprone 25 is a strong synthetic, absorbable, monofilament suture with low tissue reactivity that can be used in hair transplantation to close the donor wound with a single, running cutaneous stitch. This suture can provide a donor closure that ensures hemostasis, has little risk of infection, and is comfortable for the patient. If specific surgical techniques are followed, this suture can provide a donor closure that ensures hemostasis has little risk of complications, is both comfortable and convenient for the patient postoperatively and results in a fine surgical scar.