Advantages Of Scalp Flap Transfers

Scalp Flap Transfers
A scalp flap is a portion of tissue that is excised and moved to another area but kept attached at the base to maintain a blood supply. Flaps of hair-bearing scalp can be moved to areas of baldness. The advantage of flaps is that a large amount of hair-bearing scalp can be transferred to a bald area in one session, thus providing a quantity of hair that would require several transplant sessions to achieve. Scalp flap transfers are larger procedures and typically cost more than scalp reduction or scalp expansion (see below). Procedures may cost $4,000 - $8,000, especially when combined with touch-up hair grafts.
A flap’s attachment to the scalp at one end will limit where the flap can be relocated. The scalp flap has to

These drains can be removed within one to several days. The incision may or may not have a dressing. If a dressing is used, most doctors will remove it within one to two days. There will be moderate pain with this operation, but it should be readily controlled with oral pain medication. Swelling and bruising around the operative site is common, but this resolves fairly quickly. Patients should be able to wash their hair within a couple of days. They will be out of work and limited in activity for at least five days; activity needs to be resumed slowly. Stitches are removed between ten days and two

However in most instances, sensation returns sufficiently so as not to cause a problem. There can also be temporary numbness at the donor area.
• Abnormal direction of hair growth: Hair may come out of the scalp in a backward position in some of these flaps. This can provide an unnatural appearance in the hairline. This problem usually can be camouflaged by subsequent transplants of mini-, micro-, or single-hair grafts.
• Flap tissue death (necrosis): This is the most feared complication of any flap surgery. If the flap that is transferred has inadequate blood supply, the flap--or more frequently, the tip of the flap--can die. Tissue death will require local incision care with dressing changes and possible surgical revision of the flap. If the flap cannot be re-advanced to make up for the area lost, healing of the resulting open incision may take up to six weeks. Fortunately, this rare complication can be avoided with meticulous planning and skillful transfer of the scalp