Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Enhanced Postoperative Recovery in Hair Transplantation

Abstract

Postoperative recovery following hair transplantation procedures often involves prolonged healing periods, which can delay patients' return to normal activities. The objective of this work is to evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjunctive treatment in accelerating wound healing, reducing scab permanence, and enabling earlier resumption of standard hygiene practices and daily activities in patients undergoing hair transplantation procedures. Five male patients (age range 28-56 years) undergoing follicular unit excision (FUE) hair transplantation were enrolled in this case report. HBOT was initiated 4-6 hours postprocedure, with daily 90-minute sessions at 2.4 absolute atmospheres for six consecutive days. Standardized assessments included crusting/scabbing (0-4 scale), time to resolution of crusting, graft integration, pain (visual analog scale), patient satisfaction, recovery time, and complications. Complete elimination of scab formation was achieved within five days (range 3-5 days), representing a significant improvement compared to standard postoperative care protocols. Graft integration rates were excellent (97-99%). Patient satisfaction was high (4-5 on a 5-point Likert scale), and recovery time averaged 2.8 days. Pain scores diminished rapidly, with most patients reporting no pain by day three. No complications were observed in any patient. HBOT appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment in the postoperative management of hair transplantation patients. Although more extensive controlled studies are needed to establish optimal protocols, these preliminary findings provide a compelling rationale for the continued exploration of HBOT as a valuable component in improving outcomes and patient experience following hair transplantation procedures.

Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; crusting; follicular unit excision; follicular unit extraction; hair transplantation; hyperbaric oxygen thetapy; patients satisfaction; postoperative recovery; postoperative recovery enhancement; ­wound healing.