Transplantation of autologous minigrafts for the treatment of stable vitiligo.

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of vitiligo is indicated when lesions are localized in poorly responding areas. Various surgical procedures are used to treat stable vitiligo with an inherited shortage in each one.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the usefulness of the treatment of transplantation of autologous minigrafts for (local and generalized) stable vitiligo.

METHODS

Eight patients (three males and five females) with stable vitiligo qualified for the study. They were treated with autologous minigrafts after ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser abrasion.

RESULTS

Seven patients showed excellent to good repigmentation with an average of 84.4% coverage of the treated patches. One patient had a poor response after at least 6 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Autologous minigrafts with ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser abrasion appear to have the potential to achieve complete repigmentation in patients with stable vitiligo who fail to respond to medical treatments.