BACKGROUND: Although leukotrichia in vitiligo is troublesome, no study has been performed with a large number of patients undergoing surgical or medical vitiligo treatment giving importance to its improvement. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the improvement of leukotrichia after a modified procedure of autologous noncultured epidermal suspension transplantation. METHODS: Individuals with stable vitiligo (N = 31) were included, and 42 lesions with leukotrichia were treated. Autologous noncultured epidermal suspension was prepared from split skin graft and transplanted to the dermabraded recipient area using a new modified procedure. Patients were given methylcobalamin and advised to get daily sun exposure after dressing removal. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 1 year. Retrospective assessment was based on percentage improvement of leukotrichia according to photographs. RESULTS: There was improvement of leukotrichia in 37 of 42 (88.1%) treated lesions. Improvement was faster in body hairs than pubic hairs and hair on the face and scalp. No significant adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Although retrograde migration of melanocytes in the improvement of leukotrichia was observed in surgical management of vitiligo, this is the first study with a large number of patients using noncultured epidermal suspension transplantation.
BACKGROUND: Although leukotrichia in vitiligo is troublesome, no study has been performed with a large number of patients undergoing surgical or medical vitiligo treatment giving importance to its improvement. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the improvement of leukotrichia after a modified procedure of autologous noncultured epidermal suspension transplantation. METHODS: Individuals with stable vitiligo (N = 31) were included, and 42 lesions with leukotrichia were treated. Autologous noncultured epidermal suspension was prepared from split skin graft and transplanted to the dermabraded recipient area using a new modified procedure. Patients were given methylcobalamin and advised to get daily sun exposure after dressing removal. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 1 year. Retrospective assessment was based on percentage improvement of leukotrichia according to photographs. RESULTS: There was improvement of leukotrichia in 37 of 42 (88.1%) treated lesions. Improvement was faster in body hairs than pubic hairs and hair on the face and scalp. No significant adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Although retrograde migration of melanocytes in the improvement of leukotrichia was observed in surgical management of vitiligo, this is the first study with a large number of patients using noncultured epidermal suspension transplantation.