Honeydew: A Practice Model for Hair Replacement Surgery

Hair transplantation was first introduced in 1959,¹ and since that time, teaching the practical aspects has presented a dilemma to the cosmetic surgeon. This is primarily due to the reality that, in general, patients want "their" surgeon (not a trainee) to perform the surgical procedure. In my own personal experience, I watched and studied the procedure being performed by other practitioners, then went ahead and performed my first hair transplant on a live patient. Others have had either a human or pig cadaver to learn and practice the spatial relationships of this surgical art form. These entities, however, are expensive and difficult to obtain.

In an attempt to find a better alternative, I first experimented with a grapefruit because it had been used previously in the teaching of dermabrasion.² It was found to be inadequate, however, because the rind would frequently adhere to the inside of the punch; and the juice from the fruit was much too intense, causing a spraying effect while operating. Besides these disadvantages, the grapefruit is not the same size as a human head, which does not allow the surgeon to obtain a sense for the normal curvatures and dynamics that are encountered during surgery.

Since the grapefruit was unacceptable, other options were tried-and honeydew was found to be the best. This fruit is , approximately the size of a human head and has a consistency that is satisfactory for the teaching of hair transplantation surgery.

COMMENTS

Figure 1. Because the honeydew is approximately the same size as a human head, a mock operation can be carried out with the melon in a Pron Pillo.

Another strong advantage for using honeydew is that the consistency is conducive to either motor driven or hand punch incisions (for conventional punch grafts) (Figure 2) and slit incisions (for mini-micrografting techniques) (Figure 3). When using punch-grafting, the rind does not stick to the inside of the punch (as it does with the grapefruit) and the juice is not messy.

Figure 2. Conventional motor driven or hand punchgrafting can be easily performed on the honeydew.	Figure 3. Mini-micrografting slit techniques can be carried out on the honeydew melon.

The final and most obvious benefit is that it is inexpensive and easy to obtain. As previously mentioned, not all practitioners will have pig or human cadavers at their disposal. Honeydew, on the other hand, is very common, especially in the summer months.

SUMMARY

1. It is inexpensive.
2. It is easily obtainable.
3. It is approximately the size of a human head mimicking the normal head curvatures.
4. It can be placed into a Pron Pillo allowing for a mock operation.
5. Its consistency is conducive to this type of surgery.

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