Surgical combination therapy for vitiligo and piebaldism.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Refractory and stable defects of vitiligo and piebaldism may be unresponsive to medical therapy. Melanocyte transplantation can restore the normal pigmentation in some selected patients.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the efficacy of additional mini-grafting with 1.0-1.2-mm punch grafts to complete the restoration of achromic defects when performing surgical correction of leukoderma.

METHODS:

Eight patients with refractory stable leukoderma were treated with melanocyte transplantation; three with segmental vitiligo had epidermal shave, by removing the hyperpigmented macules at the periphery of achromic lesions; two others received suction epidermal grafts; and three subjects were treated by in vitro cultured epidermal autografts. All patients received additional mini-grafts in areas of residual achromia.

RESULTS:

The depigmented defects were 100% restored in seven patients, and in one subject 80% improvement was observed.

CONCLUSION:

Surgical methods, followed by additional mini-grafting, may be helpful to restore completely the depigmented defects when residual achromia, after treatment with the methods described above, is still present.

• Authors: R Falabella, M Barona, C Escobar, I Borrero, A Arrunategui
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 21 Issue 10 Pg. 852-7 (Oct 1995) ISSN: 1076-0512 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7551740 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Cells, Cultured
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Epidermis (surgery, transplantation)
• Esthetics
• Humans
• Melanocytes (transplantation)
• Piebaldism (surgery)
• Skin Transplantation (methods)
• Transplantation, Autologous
• Vitiligo (surgery)