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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Dec;23(12):4213-4222.
doi: 10.1111/jocd.16554. Epub 2024 Sep 19.

A Comparative Study on the Application of Robotic Hair Restoration Technology Versus Traditional Follicular Unit Excision in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

Yifei Zhu  1   2 , Kai Yang  2 , Jui-Ming Lin  1 , Chunya Ni  2 , Yue Zhang  1 , Zheng Li  1 , Qingmei Liu  1 , Yinghui Zhou  1 , Jinran Lin  1 , Wenyu Wu  1   2   3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A Comparative Study on the Application of Robotic Hair Restoration Technology Versus Traditional Follicular Unit Excision in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

Yifei Zhu et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The robotic hair transplant technology, ARTAS, has a series of fine mechanical structure and an intelligent recognition system that allows it to independently select hair follicular units (FUs) and effectively harvest hair. After entering China in 2016, ARTAS has attracted the attention of hair transplant surgeons and hair loss patients given its advantages in a short learning curve and simple operation.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety between the ARTAS system and follicular unit excision (FUE) in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and to further promote the improvement and upgrading of ARTAS technology concerning hair transplantation.

Methods: Thirteen Chinese male patients with Norwood-Hamilton II-IV AGA aged 25-35 years were enrolled in this study. The donor site of each patient was randomly divided into left and right regions, receiving ARTAS on one side and FUE on the other. Yield, transection, and discard rates of hair FUs from both sides were compared. Safety of the procedures in whole, as well as follow-up results were investigated and evaluated.

Results: The total yield rate on the ARTAS side was lower than on the FUE side (82.05% vs. 90.03%, p > 0.05); the total discard rate on the ARTAS side was higher than on the FUE side (10.71% vs. 5.46%, p < 0.05); the total transection rate on the ARTAS side was lower than on the FUE side (13.17% vs. 13.96%, p > 0.05). No significant difference was found in patient satisfaction (efficacy), and no side effects or complications were detected during or after all surgeries.

Conclusion: The current iteration of Robotic hair transplant technology is effective and safe, and can be recommended for AGA hair transplantation surgery.

Keywords: ARTAS; FUE; alopecia; follicles; hair restoration; robotic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Total yield rate, total discard rate, and total transection rate. “*” stands for statistical difference (p < 0.05), while ns stands for no statistical difference. **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
(A) Discard rate and (B) transection rate of different types of FUs. “*” stands for statistical difference (p < 0.05), while ns stands for no statistical difference.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Discard rate and transection rate of FUs from different extract areas in ARTAS and FUE. “*” stands for statistical difference (p < 0.05), while ns stands for no statistical difference.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Postoperative recovery of donor area scalp in ARTAS and FUE.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Postoperative recovery of recipient area scalp in ARTAS and FUE.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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