The Efficacy of Autologous Epidermal Grafting Based on Clinical Types for the Treatment of 320 Stable Vitiligo Lesions / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Autologous epidermal grafting was reported by several authors to be successfully used for the treatment of stable vitiligo lesions. However, there have been only a few studies with a sufficient number of cases and long-term follow up. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of autologous epidermal grafting for the treatment of stable vitiligo lesions. METHODS: We evaluated 187 patients (320 lesions) after autologous epidermal graftings using suction blistered epidermis. The effects were analyzed based on age, sex, clinical types, recipient sites, the ablative methods for recipient sites and the time after the operation. RESULTS: Autologous epidermal grafting was more effective for younger patients, for asymmetrical types and when the recipient sites were the head and neck. Pigment production increase until about 3 years after the operation was also found for patients who were evaluated regularly for more than 3 years. CONCLUSION: Autologous epidermal grafting is a safe, effective treatment modality for stable vitiligo. In order to determine the long-term efficacy of epidermal grafting, doctors should closely observe for at least 3 years after the grafting.