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. 2009;54(2):150-8.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.53196.

Tissue grafts in vitiligo surgery - past, present, and future

Niti Khunger  1 , Sushruta Dash Kathuria, V Ramesh
Affiliations

Tissue grafts in vitiligo surgery - past, present, and future

Niti Khunger et al. Indian J Dermatol. 2009.

Abstract

Vitiligo, characterized by depigmented macules is a common disorder with a high psychosocial impact, particularly in darker skins. Surgical methods become important in cases where medical therapy fails to cause repigmentation or in cases of segmental vitiligo where the response to surgery is excellent. The basic principle of surgical treatment is autologous grafting of viable melanocytes from pigmented donor skin to recipient vitiliginous areas. Various grafting methods have been described including tissue grafts and cellular grafts. Stability of the disease is the most important criterion to obtain a successful outcome. Counseling of the patient regarding the outcome is vital before surgery. The technique and followup management of the tissue grafts has been described in detail in this review.

Keywords: Vitiligo surgery; suction blister grafting; thin split thickness grafting; tissue grafts.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Nil.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Raising suction blisters by the syringe method
Figure 2
Figure 2
Blisters formed after 2 hours of suction
Figure 3
Figure 3
a) Stable resistant zosteriform vitiligo, b) Repigmentation 3 months after suction blister grafting with persistence of leukotrichia
Figure 4
Figure 4
Infiltration anesthesia at the margins of the donor area without infiltration in the centre
Figure 5
Figure 5
Harvesting a thin split thickness graft freehand with a sterile razor blade mounted on a Kocher's forceps
Figure 6
Figure 6
Cyanoacrylate adhesive applied to secure the graft
Figure 7
Figure 7
Stable vitiligo of the lips
Figure 8
Figure 8
Results of treatment with STSG after 2 months post-operative
Figure 9
Figure 9
Stable vitiligo of the areola
Figure 10
Figure 10
Treatment with STSG
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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