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. 1998 Mar;24(3):365-7.

Repigmentation in vitiligo patients. Melanocyte transfer via ultra-thin grafts

A M Kahn  1 , M J Cohen
Affiliations
  • PMID: 9537012

Repigmentation in vitiligo patients. Melanocyte transfer via ultra-thin grafts

A M Kahn et al. Dermatol Surg. 1998 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Several years ago, a successful surgical technique for treating depigmentation resulting from burn injuries was developed.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate results of dermabrasion with melanocyte transplantation using new modifications of the technique in patients with vitiligo.

Methods: We performed 17 procedures on 12 patients with stable vitiligo. The epithelium of the vitiliginous areas was removed by dermabrasion. The dermabraded area was then reepithelialized with ultra-thin sheet grafts, which more recently were meshed and partially expanded.

Results: Good to excellent repigmentation was observed in 88% of the procedures. Scarring did not develop in the repigmented or donor site regions. The final color match has been good to excellent.

Conclusions: This technique has proven beneficial in 88% of the procedures on our patients. Both our patients and we feel that this provides a valuable treatment option in patients who have failed medical management.

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Comment in

  • Surgical treatment of vitiligo.
    Kahn AM. Kahn AM. Dermatol Surg. 1999 Aug;25(8):669. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.99093-2.x. Dermatol Surg. 1999. PMID: 10950581 No abstract available.