Epidural needle for recipient site preparation in hair restoration surgery

The mini- and micro-grafting method is still one of the most current treatment methods for male pattern baldness and female androgenic alopecia. The preparation of the recipient area with 16G needle has been reported in the literature. However, during the insertion of grafts, the neighboring grafts tend to `pop out'. The study presents our experience in the hair implantation for recipient site preparation with 16G epidural needle.

The 16G epidural needle was used during preparation of the recipient field in eight patients. Approximately 500 micrografts were grafted in each patient to reconstruct the anterior hairline.

During insertion of the micrografts, almost none of the previously inserted grafts tended to `pop out'. The anterior hairline of the patients was natural without obvious scarring. The mean follow-up period of these patients was 1.5 years. The amount of graft survival was found to be satisfactory.

According to the surgeon's clinical observations, application of this technique was found to be easier than standard needle techniques. It can be used by inexperienced surgeons. Use of epidural needle for recipient hole preparation works well in reducing the popping out, and the curved fashion of the holes reduced the angle of the hair follicle.