Efficacy of Combined Use of Follicular Stem Cell Suspension with Platelet Rich Plasma Vs Platelet Rich Plasma Alone in Native and Transplanted Hair during Hair Transplant: A Randomized Study
Abstract
Suruchi Garg*, Anuva Bansal, Sachin Gupta, Geeta Sharma and Apalak Garg
Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) involves progressive hair follicle miniaturization. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown promising results in AGA, and combining it with hair follicle stem cell suspension (HFSCS) can enhance the outcome.
Methodology: This randomized, prospective, single-blind study of forty male AGA patients (Stage III–VII), aged 20–55 years, compared intraoperative PRP+HFSCS with PRP alone over one year. Statistical analysis included Kruskal- Wallis, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square and Fisher's exact test.
Results: The PRP+HFSCS group showed significantly higher density of transplanted follicles at 8 weeks (p=0.0177) and greater hair length at 4 months (p=0.02) than PRP alone group. The PRP+HFSCS group also had significantly higher number of multirooted follicles in native (nontransplanted) hairs at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months (p<=0.001, 0.001, 0.035 respectively). Temporal and vertex hair growth beyond transplanted area was significantly better in PRP+HFSCS at 8 weeks and 4 months. At one year, PRP+HFSCS group demonstrated statistically significant hair growth beyond transplanted areas in a greater number of subjects in temporal (20%) and vertex (35%) areas (p=0.025, 0.04).
Conclusion: The PRP+HFSCS demonstrated statistically significant early improvements in hair density and length with a similar trend at one year though statistically insignificant; native hair growth in nontransplanted sites was statistically significant at one year.