46 Stick-and-Place Technique

Antonio Ruston and Luciana Takata Pontes

Summary

This chapter discusses the stick-and-place (S&P) technique of implantation using forceps. The technique involves making an incision in the skin with a sharp blade or needle, immediately followed by placing a graft into incision with forceps. With premade incisions (PMI), all the incisions are made first and afterward the grafts are placed. The S&P technique has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is that because sites are filled immediately, bleeding is less and it eliminates missed sites and piggybacking. A disadvantage is that it in many places it cannot be delegated to technicians, which means more stress on the time and work for the physician. In addition, it usually requires two persons to place each graft, which increases staff requirement and may slow down the overall time of the procedure. These and other aspects of the procedure will be addressed in this chapter.

Key words

hair transplantation - graft placing - stick and place - sharp implanter

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