A stereoscopic microscope is a high-powered microscope that provides 3D magnification, allowing a surgical team to view hair follicle structure with incredible clarity and depth. Using a stereoscopic microscope in hair transplant surgery – in both Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Excisions (FUE) – is imperative for overall survival and quality of the grafts. It offers several key advantages to a natural-looking, successful hair transplant.
Advantages of a Stereoscopic Microscope
In the hands of an expert hair transplant surgeon, these tools can deliver excellent results for the patients. We’ll discuss the advantages of stereoscopic microscopes in the sections below.
Precise Dissection
Using the stereoscopic microscope, the doctor is able to dissect follicular units from donor tissue precisely with high magnification and depth perception. This is important as it preserves the integrity of each follicular unit, reducing any damage to hair follicles and increasing graft survival. Having clear visualization ensures that each graft retains the necessary dermal and fat tissue, and better grafts mean improved growth, natural density, and more predictable, natural-looking outcomes.
Increased Graft Yield
Not only does it enhance the graft quality, but it also improves the graft yield. By enabling the maximum number of viable grafts from the donor strip, it helps optimize the donor hair and allows for better coverage. The strong magnification helps medical technicians handle the precious grafts gently and minimize unnecessary manipulation. By reducing trauma during the dissection, it helps to avoid transection – cutting through the hair follicle, which affects the overall final hair density.
Differentiation between Follicular Units
The stereoscopic microscope also helps clearly distinguish between single-, double-, and multi-hair follicular units. This allows the doctor to strategically place each follicular unit in the proper area, with the right angle, to create a natural-looking hairline with the appropriate density placement. With precise visibility, the doctor is able to harvest and use the maximum number of viable hair follicles from the patient’s donor area, which is an especially critical benefit for patients with limited donor hair.
Problem with New Tools
There are a lot of new medical tools being marketed and sold to hair transplant doctors, and these new medical tools are being marketed to hair transplant patients for a profit. But a lot of these new tools are being placed in the wrong hands with untrained technicians and no actual medical doctor, which damages hair follicles, decreases the patient’s hair donor area, and results in lower-quality hair transplants.
Also Read: Risks of a Hair Transplant
Conclusion
The stereoscopic microscope has been assisting medical doctors and their surgical technicians for years, as it consistently maintains accuracy, ensures maximum graft survival, and helps deliver natural-looking outcomes.
The stereoscopic microscope is considered the gold standard by top hair transplant surgeons worldwide, as it is a critical part of high-quality hair transplant surgeries (FUT and FUE), and it distinguishes elite medical hair restoration surgeons from lower-standard practices. However, the best tool is the one in the hands of a formally trained hair transplant medical expert.
Dr. Paul J. McAndrews is a world-renowned expert in hair loss and hair restoration, and one of only two physicians to have served as President of both the ISHRS and ABHRS. He is a Clinical Professor at USC/LAC Medical Center and an Expert Medical Reviewer for the California Medical Board. Known for his artistic, patient-focused approach, Dr. McAndrews performs one hair transplant per day to ensure exceptional, individualized results.