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Postoperative permanent pressure alopecia

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Abstract

A 49-year-old Chinese female underwent elective laparoscopic assisted Whipple’s surgery lasting 12 h. This was complicated by postoperative pressure alopecia at the occipital area of the scalp. Pressure-induced hair loss after general anaesthesia is uncommon and typically temporary, but may be disconcerting to the patient. We report this case of postoperative permanent pressure alopecia due to its rarity in the anaesthesia/local literature, and review the risk factors for its development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, 119077, Singapore, Singapore

    Zi Yun Chang, Jan Ngian & Claudia Chong

  2. Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine Department, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Chin Ted Chong & Qui Yin Liew

Authors
  1. Zi Yun Chang
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  2. Jan Ngian
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  3. Claudia Chong
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  4. Chin Ted Chong
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  5. Qui Yin Liew
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Correspondence to Zi Yun Chang.

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Chang, Z.Y., Ngian, J., Chong, C. et al. Postoperative permanent pressure alopecia. J Anesth 30, 349–351 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-015-2100-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-015-2100-2

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