Repigmentation in vitiligo patients - Melanocyte transfer via ultra-thin grafts

BACKGROUND. Several years ago, a successful surgical technique for treating depigmentation resulting from burn injuries was developed. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate results of dermabrasion with melanocyte transplantation using new modifications of the technique in patients with vitiligo. METHODS. We performed 17 procedures on 12 patients with stable vitiligo. The epithelium of the vitiliginous areas was removed by dermabrasion. The dermabraded area was then reepithelialized with ultra-thin sheet grafts, which more recently were meshed and partially expanded. RESULTS. Good to excellent repigmentation was absented in 88% of the procedures. Scarring did not develop in the repigmented or donor site regions. The final color match has been goad to excellent. CONCLUSIONS. This technique has proven beneficial in 88% of the procedures on our patients. Both our patients and we feel that this provides a valuable treatment option in patients who have failed medical management. (C) 1998 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.