Autologous noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation in stable vitiligo: A randomized comparative study of recipient site preparation by two techniques

Background: Accurate preparation of recipient area is a critical step in melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure for vitiligo. It is an important potential step for adaptation in the quest to achieve better results and ablative lasers potentially offer excellent precision over margin and depth control in achieving that. Objective: To compare between the two techniques used for recipient site preparation: Er:YAG laser ablation and mechanical dermabrasion for melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure in terms of re-pigmentation achieved and adverse effects seen. Methods: A randomized comparative trial was performed among 32 patients of stable vitiligo undergoing melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure. In Group A (n = 15), recipient site preparation was done with Er:YAG laser, and in Group B (n = 17), it was done with a motorized dermabrader. Patients of both groups were objectively assessed for re-pigmentation at 1, 3 and 6 months. Results: A total of 253.696 cm2 of depigmented surface was operated upon and re-pigmentation of 125.359 cm2 (49.4%) was achieved. On comparison between two groups, no statistical difference was found with respect to total re-pigmentation achieved (Group A: 54.67% vs Group B: 48.841%, P = 0.663) and grades of re-pigmentation achieved (P = 0.796). Occurrence of adverse events was also statistically similar in both the groups. Conclusion: This study did not reveal any statistically different outcome (in terms of re-pigmentation and adverse effects) between the two methods of recipient site preparation – motorized dermabrasion and Er:YAG ablation. Limitations: This study is small and larger studies are needed to ascertain the benefit of Er:YAG for recipient site preparation. Future studies may also ascertain variables such as time taken to prepare the recipient area, nature of bleeding, postoperative healing, difficulties in specific area, cost of the procedure, patient comfort and ease of the surgeon, rather than comparing the re-pigmentation alone.

Non-cultured epidermal suspension in vitiligo: From laboratory to clinic.

Background: Medical treatments are ineffective in many patients and surgical methods have therefore been developed. Objective: A review of autologous non-cultured melanocyte grafting techniques is proposed to obtain a successful repigmentation of vitiligo macules. Methods: Initially in 1992, we had developed a simplified grafting method which was carried out in the following two steps: production of blisters on the depigmented lesions by freezing with liquid nitrogen and injection in each blister of a non-cultured suspension of epidermal cells. The cellular suspension was obtained from samples of skin of the hair scalp after trypsinization. This very simple technique could be used at the dermatologist's clinic. Since 1998 (Olsson MJ, Juhlin L), quite comparable but improved and more sophisticated techniques have been proposed for the surgical treatment of vitiligo. These techniques require a laboratory set up to perform the melanocyte transplantation. The donor zone was usually taken on the gluteal region. The time of trypsinization was reduced to 60 minutes at 37΀C and the centrifuged cellular suspension added with hyaluronic acid (Van Geel) was directly applied on a dermabraded or laser abraded vitiligo lesions. Results: Whatever the technique chosen, repigmentation was evident within 25 to 30 days. Coalescence of the pigmented areas was spontaneously observed or obtained after UVB radiation. It is obvious that the complete repigmentation occurred more rapidly with the recent techniques compared with the initial method, but the efficiency was quite similar. Conclusion: The use of non-cultured epidermal suspension appears to be an effective, safe, and simple method for treating patients with achromic areas lacking melanocytes.