Triple combination treatment with fractional CO2 laser plus topical betamethasone solution and narrowband ultraviolet B for refractory vitiligo: a prospective, randomized half-body, comparative study.

Vitiligo on extremities and/or bony prominences is very resistant to treatment. Twenty-five patients with symmetrical and stable vitiligo on extremities and/or bony prominences were enrolled. The treatment side received fractional carbon dioxide laser followed by topical compound betamethasone solution and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. The control side received laser treatment plus phototherapy. The result of treatment side showed that 44% patients achieved over 50% re-pigmentation and patient satisfaction score was 5.12 ± 3.23, higher than those of control (p < 0.05). Adverse events were slight and tolerable. The triple combination treatment could be used as an alternative modality for refractory vitiligo.