Melanocyte autologous grafting for treatment of leukoderma.

Patients with three types of leukoderma--vitiligo, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, and postinflammatory leukoderma--had successful repigmentation after transplantation of autologous melanocytes. The procedure was performed easily by producing blisters on normal skin and on depigmented lesions. Blisters were produced by suction or by freezing with liquid nitrogen. The roof of the blister from donor skin was grafted to the raw surface of the recipient site. Repigmentation was visible within 7 to 14 days. Direct immunofluorescence staining with bullous pemphigoid antibodies suggested that the separation of the epidermis from the dermis occurs within the lamina lucida. Histochemical studies confirmed the absence of dopa-positive cells in the areas of leukoderma prior to grafting. Melanocytes were present in the successful grafts.