Hair follicle units promote re-epithelialization in chronic cutaneous wounds: A clinical case series study

Chronic cutaneous wounds are one of the most unfavorable pathophysiological processes in routine practice. However, developments in hair follicle unit therapy may aid the treatment of these wounds. The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of hair follicle units in chronic cutaneous wound re-epithelialization and to develop an effective protocol for wound treatment. A total of 14 patients, of which nine were male and five were female, with a mean age of 60.71 years (range, 19-76 years) and a mean wound area of 74.14 cm², were treated in the study. The hair follicle units were dissected from a scalp graft and transplanted into the chronic cutaneous wound bed, after which clinical evaluation was performed. Images of the recipient site were captured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 14 weeks following transplantation. In addition, histological examinations were conducted postoperatively at week 16. Total wound re-epithelialization was observed in all the patients. Histological analysis revealed that the epidermis and papillary dermis were present in the wound area. Adnexal structures and the reticular dermis were also observed. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the ability of hair follicle units to promote chronic cutaneous wound healing.