Has Technology Killed the Flap?

In their 1997 paper, Jeffrey S. Epstein and Sheldon S. Kabaker argued for the continued use of scalp flap surgery in treating male pattern baldness, despite newer hair restoration technologies. With over 500 cases since 1973, they discussed the benefits of scalp flaps, including immediate high-density results and potentially lower costs compared to micro- and minigrafting. They detailed the surgical techniques for the temporoparietoccipital (TPO) and temporoparietal (TP) flaps and emphasized the need for careful patient selection and thorough preoperative counseling. The authors concluded that scalp flaps remain a valuable option for hair loss treatment due to their distinct advantages.