Short vs long scalp flaps in the treatment of male pattern baldness.

Hair transplantation has been used to restore the bald pate for 25 years. The dissatisfaction of some physicians and patients with the difficulty in obtaining natural density and the length of time necessary to achieve cosmetically acceptable coverage has been a stimulus to the development of scalp flap surgery. The flaps have the advantage of transferring large amounts of hair that give immediate and continuous coverage, normal density, and an improved hairline. Surgeons have applied this technique to areas affected by disease and trauma, as well as male pattern baldness. There are differences between the short temporoparietal flaps and the larger Juri flaps with regard to patient selection, planning, design, technique, complications, and most importantly, results.