What is the maximum number of grafts you do in one session safely in Dubai UAE
Arooj Khan 
The safe limit for the number of grafts that can be transplanted in a single session is a crucial factor that distinguishes a reputable and quality-focused hair transplant clinic from a high-volume, potentially risky one.
According to international standards set by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), the maximum number of grafts that can typically be transplanted in a single FUE session (Follicular Unit Extraction) for a patient with normal donor characteristics ranges between 4,000 and 4,500 grafts. Going beyond this limit significantly increases the risk of complications and compromises the overall outcome of the procedure.
The primary limiting factor in performing a "mega-session" involving 4,000 or more grafts is the viability and survival rate of the extracted grafts. Grafts are living tissues that require blood and oxygen, and once they are extracted, their survival is time-sensitive. Ideally, a graft should be re-implanted within 6 to 8 hours of being harvested to maintain a high survival rate of over 90%. However, conducting a meticulous extraction, sorting, channel creation, and implantation process for 5,000 or more grafts in a single day poses significant challenges in meeting this time window, leading to decreased graft survival rates and suboptimal results.
Furthermore, the risk of damaging the limited donor area, where grafts are harvested from, is another critical consideration. Over-harvesting grafts from the donor area can result in permanent damage and visible thinning, compromising future transplant options. Additionally, extracting too many grafts in a small area can lead to necrosis and scarring, further emphasizing the importance of adhering to safe limits in graft extraction.
In the recipient area where the new grafts are implanted, the density is limited by the local blood flow. Creating too many incisions too densely and quickly can overwhelm the scalp's vascular network, potentially leading to complications such as graft failure, shock loss of native hair, and necrosis in the recipient area.
For patients requiring 5,000 grafts or more, a split-session protocol is often the safest approach. This involves dividing the procedure over two consecutive days or two separate sessions spaced months apart to ensure optimal graft survival and minimize risks associated with high-volume procedures.
Ultimately, a responsible surgeon prioritizes the quality and survival rate of grafts over the quantity transplanted, as the successful growth of grafts is what determines the overall success of the hair transplant procedure.
