Robotic follicular unit extraction in hair transplantation.

BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been a shift toward minimally invasive procedures. In hair transplantation surgery, this trend has manifested with the emergence of follicular unit extraction (FUE). Recently, a robot has been introduced for FUE procedures. OBJECTIVE To determine the transection rate of a robotic FUE device. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors discuss the procedure, technical requirements, optimal candidates, advantages, and disadvantages of robotic FUE compared with the standard ellipse. RESULTS Optimal candidates for robotic FUE are those with dark hair color who can sit for 45 to 120 minutes and are willing to shave a large area for donor harvesting. The main advantages of robotic FUE compared with the standard ellipse are its minimally invasive nature and the lack of a linear scar. The average transection rate with the robot to date is 6.6% (range, 0.4%-32.1%). CONCLUSION The robot is a new and innovative method for FUE hair transplantation of which hair transplant surgeons should be aware.