Noncultured epidermal suspension transplantation for the treatment of stable vitiligo in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is a well-established treatment for stable vitiligo in adults. However, there are few studies to date reporting the use of surgery in children and adolescents. AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of transplantation of autologous noncultured epidermal suspension for the treatment of stable vitiligo in children and adolescents.
METHODS: Noncultured epidermal suspension transplantation was performed in 13 children and adolescents (age 8-17 years), with a total of 19 lesions of stable vitiligo. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Results were assessed for degree of repigmentation, colour match compared with normal skin, and adverse events.
RESULTS: Of the 19 lesions, 15 (79%) had > 90% repigmentation at the end of 1 year, and the remaining 4 lesions (21%) had 75-90% repigmentation. Results were not influenced by age, gender, site or size of lesions, type of vitiligo, or duration of stability of disease, although the small sample size makes conclusions tentative. The colour match at the final visit was excellent for 16 of the 19 lesions (84.2%). No major adverse effects were seen except for infection at the recipient site in one patient.
CONCLUSION: Transplantation of noncultured epidermal suspension is a safe and effective treatment for stable vitiligo in childhood. Considering its good efficacy and safety as a day-care procedure under local anaesthesia, it may be considered one of the treatments of choice for stable vitiligo in children and adolescents, especially for cases resistant to other therapies. © The Author(s). CED