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You are in: Home Page | Personal Injury | Medical Negligence Claims | Clinical Negligence Articles and Clinical Negligence Factsheets | When Hair Transplants go wrong

March 2011

When Hair Transplants go wrong

Introduction

Male baldness is a natural occurrence for many. However, whilst hair loss is perfectly natural, some find it very distressing and embarrassing. It is unsurprising then that some men are prepared to undergo expensive procedures to achieve a full head of hair. Hair transplants are advertised as a straightforward and instant cure to male baldness and are very attractive to those who wish to prevent a receding hair line. Unfortunately, a hair transplant is rarely a miracle cure and the success, or otherwise, of the procedure can often be down to the patient’s expectations. This article will explain the modern hair transplant techniques, what can go wrong and how to find a competent surgeon.

Hair transplant techniques

The hair transplant procedure involves removing hair from the back or sides of the scalp (the donor area) and placing them into the bald or thinning area of the scalp (recipient area). The technique used today is called the Follicular Unit Transplantation Technique and there are two different approaches to this technique: 1) the Strip Harvesting Technique and 2) Follicular Unit Extraction technique. The difference between the two techniques is the way in which the follicular units are extracted:

Strip Harvesting Technique – this involves using a scalpel to remove a strip containing a large group of follicular units from the donor area. The follicular units can be kept intact and this prevents the individual hair follicles from being damaged. Each follicular unit contains one to four hairs. The follicular units are dissected under microscopes and are then placed into the bald or thinning areas of the scalp.

Follicular Unit Extraction - this involves removing one follicular unit at a time directly from the donor area. This technique does not require the use of a scalpel and is suitable for transplants of a smaller number of hairs.

The main disadvantage of the Strip method is that it leaves a scar where the hairs are removed. This means that patients cannot wear their hair short if they do not want the scar to be visible. This is not the case with the Follicular Unit Extraction. Research in the 2000s into reducing scarring after using the Strip method has resulted in a technique called Trigrowthic Closure. This involves a triple closure of the area where the hairs were removed so that only one stitch is visible after the wound has been closed. At worst this is supposed to leave minimal scarring.

What can go wrong?

As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk that something will go wrong. There are of course side effects of the procedure such as: swelling of the scalp and forehead, itching and numbness of the scalp, infection, scarring, pigmentary changes in skin, and cysts and pimples. Initially, it is possible for nearly all of the transplanted hairs to fall out. They are usually expected to re-grow after two to three months however this will be of no comfort to the patient who was already self-conscious and distressed by their hair loss and who then has to wait for the hair to re-grow. Also, a hair transplant does not prevent hair loss in the future. In the years after the procedure more hair loss can occur however the transplanted hairs are likely to stay in place resulting in odd patches of hair. The options in this instance are to have the patches removed or to undergo another hair transplant.

Whilst some risks of the procedure are unavoidable, there are circumstances when poor results are caused by the negligence of the surgeon. Thompsons has acted for clients who have been the victims of the carelessness and inexperience of incompetent surgeons. In one particular case our client reported, amongst other things, that the transplanted hair follicles had fallen out, which is more than a mere side effect of the procedure.

Thompsons is bringing a claim for compensation against the surgeon on behalf of our client for the failure to carry out the procedure with an appropriate level of care and skill. The surgeon did not have the correct expertise and did not take proper care when carrying out the transplant. The problem is that the follicles have been wasted. For our client, who is struggling with the loss of his hair, the permanent loss of the hair follicles themselves is even more distressing. Our client has had to face a second hair transplant to remedy the problems caused by the first procedure, although this has been more difficult as there were less hair follicles available in the donor area a second time around.

Another problem has been extensive and unnecessary scarring. Some scarring is to be expected but it takes some time for the wound to heal and the full extent of the scarring is not always immediately apparent. Unsightly scarring can be caused if the surgeon does not use the appropriate skill or does not take enough care when closing the wounds. For some, the Trigrowthic Closure is promised but is not in fact carried out meaning that the scarring is more extensive than expected. That certainly has been the experience of one of Thompsons’ clients. In that case the unsightly scarring has resulted in unwanted attention and our client has had to wear his hair longer than he would like to make sure that the scarring remains hidden. Further surgery may be needed to improve the appearance of the scarring which will mean even more pain, discomfort and distress for our client. Again, Thompsons is bringing a claim against the surgeon for failing to have the necessary skill and failing to take care when suturing the wound.

Choosing the right surgeon

The success of a hair transplant very much depends on a good surgeon. It is important that an individual finds the right clinic and surgeon, especially as the cost of the procedure can be anything between 2,000 - 20,000. So, where do you start?

Your GP may be able to give you the name of a good hair transplant surgeon but your GP is unlikely to have much specialist knowledge in this area. As hair transplant surgery is not deemed to be a medical necessity the procedure is not available on the NHS and your GP is likely to suggest that you find a private clinic.

Many clinics advertise widely on the internet however, as one of Thompsons’ expert Trichologists has said, the good clinics do not need to advertise to attract new patients. Instead they work on recommendation and word of mouth. There are hair loss forums on the internet where there is a wealth of information on people’s experiences, good and bad, and are a great starting point. There are also trichological associations such as The Institute of Trichologists which may be able to provide recommendations and information on individual surgeons.

Once you have found a surgeon, it is important to ask them about their experience and to request before and after photographs of previous patients. Do they have any patients who would be willing to speak to you?

Conclusion

A hair transplant is a surgical operation and a decision to have this surgery should not be taken lightly. A great deal of time and care should be taken in choosing a surgeon with the right experience and skill. It should not be seen as a miracle cure although for an individual who is self-conscious and embarrassed about their hair loss a hair transplant can be a great success.

Thompsons Solicitors are able to advise you on making a claim for compensation in circumstances where you have concerns about the way in which a hair transplant procedure was performed or are worried about the outcome of a procedure. If we can prove that the surgeon did not use an appropriate level of care and skill and that you have suffered harm as a result, you will be entitled to receive compensation.

Compensation Claims Advice

Thompsons Solicitors have years of experience in dealing with cases involving clinical negligence. If you or anyone you know has suffered from any form of clinical negligence, telephone us now for accurate personal injury claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury compensation claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all matters relating to clinical negligence and will be able to advise you as to whether or not you have a valid personal injury claim for compensation. Our specialist clinical negligence lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.

Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.