Melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure in the treatment of vitiligo: the experience of an academic medical center in the United States

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a disfiguring disease with limited treatment options. Surgical treatment is underused in the United States because of perceived risk of infection, costs, and difficulty of the procedure.

Objective: We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of the melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure (MKTP) in an academic dermatology department in the United States.

Methods: This prospective, uncontrolled, open-label study enrolled patients aged 18 years or older with a self-reported history of vitiligo and no new or expanding lesions for at least 6 months before surgery. Patients with a history of koebnerization or keloid formation were excluded. Patients underwent autologous MKTP. Repigmentation during a 3- to 6-month follow-up period was assessed categorically and by modified Vitiligo Area Scoring Index. Safety was assessed by frequency of adverse events.

Results: Of the 28 patients who underwent 36 procedures, 23 patients who underwent 29 procedures completed the 3- to 6-month follow-up period. Data for these 29 procedures show excellent repigmentation (ie, 95%-100%) after the MKTP in 17%, and good repigmentation (ie, 65%-94%) in 31%. Fair (64%-25%) and poor (24%-0%) repigmentation were achieved in 10% and 41% of patients, respectively. Average percent change in Vitiligo Area Scoring Index was -45% (95% confidence interval -64% to -26%), signifying an improvement in pigmentation.

Limitations: Limitations include small sample size and lack of a control group.

Conclusions: The MKTP is an effective and well-tolerated procedure based upon categorical and Vitiligo Area Scoring Index assessments of repigmentation.