Effects of Autografting Using the Suction Blistered Epidermis Technique in the Treatment of Vitiligo

Rho, Young Woo; Kim, Tae Won; Lee, Woong Jae; Shur, Ki Beom; Lee, Jeung Hoon; Park, Jang Kyu

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder characterized by loss of melanocytes from the epidermis. Autografting using the suction blistered epidermis technique is one of the surgical modalities of vitiligo treatment, and has been successfully used by several authots.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the autografting using the suction blistered epidermis technique for the treatment of vitiligo.
METHODS
142 sites from 39 patients with vitiligo were treated with autografting using the suction blistered epidermis technique. The recipient sites were prepared by freezing with liquid nitrogen of the sites 48 hours prior to grafting.
RESULTS
Better results were seen in cases with the following Factors: a) cases where the disease had been present for more than 3 years b) the post-operative period had been Longer than a year c) the Lesional sites of the vitiligo were on the trunk and neck rather than the neck and extremities d) the vitiligo had affected the grabous rather than the hairy areas on the face. However, there were no differences between the clinical types(such as generalized, localized, and segmental) in the success rate of treatment. Preopera'tive PUVA or post operative PUVA also did not affect the statistical results.
CONCLUSION
On autografting using the suction blistered epidermis, it is better to select the patients who have had the disease for more than 3 years, and graft the epidermis which has increased melanocytes by preoperative PUVA for good treatment results and even pigmentation.