Subrata Malakar1, Koushik Lahiri. 1. Rita Skin Foundation, Salt Lake, Kolkata (Calcutta), India. smalakar@cal.vsnl.net.in
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lip leucoderma (LL) is a common concern of great psychological scarring. The condition is often resistant to medical management due mainly to the absence of hair follicles. Melanocyte transfer, therefore, by any surgical procedure may repigment this condition. OBJECTIVE: To repigment LL by punch graft (PG) and to estimate and evaluate the degree of repigmentation and its complications. METHODS: One hundred and eight cases of stable and resistant LL of various causes were studied. They were followed up to a maximum of 5 years. RESULTS: Graft take was achieved in 98 cases (91%) whereas all the grafts were rejected in 8 cases of herpes-labialis-induced LL (HlLL). Two cases (1.5%) showed depigmentation of grafts. Cobblestoning was the most common complication and was observed in 32 cases (30%). Complete repigmentation was achieved in 78 cases (72%). CONCLUSION: PG is a simple office procedure to treat LL. The procedure should exclude HILL. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
BACKGROUND:Lip leucoderma (LL) is a common concern of great psychological scarring. The condition is often resistant to medical management due mainly to the absence of hair follicles. Melanocyte transfer, therefore, by any surgical procedure may repigment this condition. OBJECTIVE: To repigment LL by punch graft (PG) and to estimate and evaluate the degree of repigmentation and its complications. METHODS: One hundred and eight cases of stable and resistant LL of various causes were studied. They were followed up to a maximum of 5 years. RESULTS: Graft take was achieved in 98 cases (91%) whereas all the grafts were rejected in 8 cases of herpes-labialis-induced LL (HlLL). Two cases (1.5%) showed depigmentation of grafts. Cobblestoning was the most common complication and was observed in 32 cases (30%). Complete repigmentation was achieved in 78 cases (72%). CONCLUSION: PG is a simple office procedure to treat LL. The procedure should exclude HILL. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel