308-nm Excimer Laser Plus Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Stable Vitiligo: A Prospective, Randomized Case-Control Study

Abstract

Purpose: 308-nm excimer laser has a confirmed treatment effect on vitiligo. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous preparation which contains a variety of growth factors. The effect of 308-nm excimer laser combined with PRP on vitiligo has been rarely reported. This study investigated the effect of PRP combined with 308-nm excimer laser on stable vitiligo.

Patients and methods: A total of 60 patients with localized stable vitiligo who received treatment at Beijing Friendship Hospital and Xi'an Vitiligo Specialist Hospital between May 2019 and January 2020 were consecutively enrolled. They were equally randomized into three groups according to different treatment methods: intradermal PRP injection (group I), 308-nm excimer laser alone (group II), and 308-nm excimer laser plus PRP injection (group III). All treatments lasted for 3 months. At 3 months after treatment, clinical assessments were performed in terms of the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, repigmentation response and side effects.

Results: The VAS scores showed significant differences among the three groups (P<0.001), with the highest score in group III, followed by group II and then group I. Repigmentation responses also showed significant differences among the groups (P<0.001), and the best effect was observed in group III. No side effects were reported in any of the groups.

Conclusion: The effect of PRP combined with 308-nm excimer laser on stable vitiligo is significantly better than that of PRP and 308-nm excimer laser alone. It is safe and satisfactorily tolerant.

Keywords: combined therapy; laser; repigmentation; visual analogue scale; vitiligo.

Figure 1

Locations of the lesions in different groups.

Figure 2

Typical examples of repigmentation before and after treatment. a1 and a2: Facial lesions before and after treatment with PRP injection (repigmentation, <25%). b1 and b2: Neck lesions before and after treatment with PRP injection (repigmentation, <25%). c1 and c2: Trunk lesions before and after treatment with 308-nm excimer laser alone (repigmentation, 25–50%). d1 and d2: Trunk lesions before and after treatment with 308-nm excimer laser alone (repigmentation, 25–50%). e1 and e2: Chest lesions before and after combined treatment (repigmentation, >75%). f1 and f2: Facial lesions before and after combined treatment (repigmentation, >75%).