ABSTRACT
Secondary cicatricial alopecia occurs as a result of destruction of hair follicles
by scar tissue formed in the scalp and eyebrows. It is a permanent condition and regrowth
of hairs in the area is not expected. The purpose of the study was to select the appropriate
method for treating cicatricial alopecia. 24 patients were admitted to our hospital
during the period from June 2006 to July 2007. They were suffering from acquired cicatricial
alopecia affecting the scalp and the eyebrow. Their ages ranged from 6-48 years with
mean age 26-25 years. They were treated surgically by total excision of the lesions
with direct closure of the defect in ten cases, excision of alopecia with advancement
flaps with the aid of scalp expanders in seven cases, scalp reduction through serial
excision of alopecia in three cases and excision of alopecia and reconstruction of
the defect by strip composite hair-bearing scalp grafts in four cases. Our results
suggest there are three key factors that decide the surgical methods for treating
alopecia: size, location and shape. We also discuss and evaluate the various techniques
of reconstruction. Good results were obtained in 18 patients.
KEYWORDS
Alopecia - Secondary cicatricial - Scalp defects
