Combining vertical strips and the ellipse in saving time and follicles.
BACKGROUND: Various methods have been tried in collecting donor hair for transplantation. Punch grafts, horizontal strips using a multi-bladed knife, and elliptical excisions have been tried with varying success. Each has advantages, while each also has disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a technique of harvesting donor hair that would decrease the time to prepare mini- and micrografts while minimizing damage to the follicles. METHODS: The multi-bladed knife was used to create vertical slits, combined with an elliptical excision to remove the area en bloc. RESULTS: Fewer follicles were damaged than when using the multi-bladed knife horizontally, and the preparation of mini- and micrografts took less time than with an elliptical excision. CONCLUSION: This technique combines the advantages of the multi-bladed knife in saving time, and of the elliptical excision in reducing damage to the follicles. The disadvantages of using the multi-bladed knife in a horizontal manner and of taking only a large elliptical excision were eliminated.