Enhancing Graft Survival Rates in Follicular Unit Excision: A Chinese Expert Consensus on Perioperative Procedures.

[BACKGROUND] The survival rate of grafts, a critical metric for evaluating the postoperative outcomes of follicular unit excision (FUE), can be significantly improved through standardized perioperative procedures. This expert consensus aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to health care professionals in the field of hair transplantation to enhance graft survival rates.

[METHODS] A systematic review was conducted on all clinical issues related to the graft survival of FUE. Each clinical issue was evaluated by a panel of experts, leading to the development of consensus recommendations.

[RESULTS] This consensus offers recommendations on 7 clinical issues related to FUE: preoperative preparation, graft harvest, external dissection and trimming, graft preservation, graft implantation, postoperative care, and complication prevention. Each of these issues is discussed in detail within this review.

[CONCLUSION] An expert consensus was established to enhance graft survival rates, based on the best available evidence for each clinical issue.