Comparison of two surgical approaches for treating vitiligo: a preliminary study

• Published in: International journal of dermatology Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 135 - 138
• Main Authors: Özdemir, Mustafa, Çetinkale, Oğuz, Wolf, Ronni, Kotoğyan, Agop, Mat, Cem, Tüzün, Binnur, Tüzün, Yalçın
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.03.2002; Blackwell Science; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blister - surgery; Child; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Skin Pigmentation; Skin plastic surgery; Skin Transplantation - methods; Suction - methods; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Treatment Outcome; Vitiligo - surgery; Human; Skin disease; Autograft; Vitiligo; Pigmentation disorder; Treatment; Surgery; Graft; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01391.x

Background Surgical techniques have recently been introduced for patients with vitiligo. Randomized controlled trials have not been performed. Aim To compare the efficacy and side‐effects of two surgical methods (suction blister vs. thin split‐thickness graft technique) for the treatment of vitiligo. Methods Three suction blisters, approximately 0.8 cm in diameter, made with a special tool attached to a vacuum extractor, which were converted to erosions by removal of the roofs of the bullae, and one round erosion of approximately the same diameter, made using a silver knife, were created. One roof of a blister and two cutaneous thin split‐thickness grafts taken from the gluteal region were transferred onto recipient vitiliginous areas; one was left alone. The results were evaluated by one non‐blind and two blind observers bimonthly during the 3‐month follow‐up period. Results Repigmentation rates were 25–65% in the suction blister technique and 90% in the thin split‐thickness graft technique (P < 0.001). Conclusions The thin split‐thickness graft technique is superior to the suction blister technique in treating vitiligo.