Yes, hiccups are a rare side effect of hair transplantation. You are right in that the medical literature has reported this as high as 5 -10 % of patients. However, it's likely much more rare than this, and this estimate is probably a bit high. I see hiccups as a side effect in well under 1 % of patients and mostly in strip (FUT) patients than follicular unit extraction (FUE).The precise cause of hiccups after hair transplants is not well understood. All in all it appears that when a nerve known as the phrenic nerve gets stimulated, the diaphragm is stimulated to produce a 'hiccup'. It appears that a number of causes might be possible includingIrritation of the nerves in back of the scalp that ultimately stimulate the phrenic nerve. Phrenic nerve stimulation then triggers hiccups. Stomach dilation (gastric dilatation) from excessive intake of air during the surgery, food or carbonated beverages. This too triggers the phrenic nerve.Certains types of medications used during surgery including steroids.Hiccups sometimes go away in a few hours. Some patients are prescribed medications to help the hiccups, including a medication known as chlorpromazine. Other medications are sometimes used as well.
