Posttransplant epidermoid cysts secondary to small graft hair transplantation.

[BACKGROUND] Epidermoid cysts sometimes result from small-graft hair transplantation. Although hair transplant surgeons are aware of this complication, it has not been reported to date.

[OBJECTIVE] Our purpose is to report the clinical and histological features of posttransplant epidermoid cysts.

[METHODS] Four patients with posttransplant cysts, and the histological features of two of these cysts, were reviewed.

[RESULTS] All cysts occurred at the site of a recent micro- or minigraft, and were small; one had become infected. Serial sectioning of one scalp biopsy showed a micrograft lying in the subcutaneous tissue in close proximity to an epidermoid cyst. The cyst apparently arose from the follicular infundibulum of the graft.

[CONCLUSION] Posttransplant epidermoid cysts are examples of epidermal inclusion cysts. They are treated by conservative excision, and may require drainage for secondary infection. Careful operative technique should prevent some of these cysts.