Autologous grafting with noncultured melanocytes: a simplified method for treatment of depigmented lesions

Abstract

Background: Achromic lesions on the trunk and the extremities often do not respond to treatment and little improvement is obtained in cases of segmental vitiligo.

Objective: Transplantation of autologous noncultured melanocytes was performed to obtain a successful repigmentation.

Methods: The grafting method is carried out in two steps: production of blisters on the depigmented lesions by freezing with liquid nitrogen and injection in each blister of a suspension of epidermal cells (mainly keratinocytes and melanocytes). The cellular suspension was obtained from samples of skin of the hair scalp after trypsinization.

Results: Repigmentation was evident within 25 to 30 days. Coalescence of the pigmented areas was spontaneously observed or obtained after UVA stimulation. Patients with two types of leukoderma-vitiligo or nevus depigmentosus had successful repigmentation after transplantation of autologous noncultured melanocytes.

Conclusion: This technique appears to be an effective and simple method for treating patients with achromic areas lacking melanocytes.