Nikki S Vyas1, Kelsey L Lawrence2, James L Griffith3, Iltefat H Hamzavi4. 1. University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA. 2. Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. 3. Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA. 4. Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA IHamzav1@hfhs.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure (MKTP) successfully repigments postburn leukodermic scars. OBJECTIVE: To further investigate the efficacy and limitations of MKTP for treatment of mechanically and chemically induced leukodermic scars. METHODS: Ten patients with mechanically or chemically induced, depigmented or hypopigmented scars were preoperatively evaluated with Wood's light examination, treated with MKTP, and followed for at least 6 months, with monitoring of repigmentation and colour matching. RESULTS: Nine patients attended at least 6 months of follow-up. Six patients showed no fluorescence of scars under Wood's lamp. All patients whose lesions didn't fluoresce displayed less than 50% repigmentation, with 5 of 6 attaining 0% to 24%. Of the 3 patients displaying bright or some fluorescence, more than 95% repigmentation was achieved in 2 patients (skin phototypes V and VI), while less than 24% was attained for the third (skin phototype II). CONCLUSIONS: In this small case series, lack of fluorescence in leukodermic scars may be a useful negative prognostic indicator for MKTP, but additional trials are needed to verify that this is not due to melanocompetency.
BACKGROUND: Melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure (MKTP) successfully repigments postburn leukodermic scars. OBJECTIVE: To further investigate the efficacy and limitations of MKTP for treatment of mechanically and chemically induced leukodermic scars. METHODS: Ten patients with mechanically or chemically induced, depigmented or hypopigmented scars were preoperatively evaluated with Wood's light examination, treated with MKTP, and followed for at least 6 months, with monitoring of repigmentation and colour matching. RESULTS: Nine patients attended at least 6 months of follow-up. Six patients showed no fluorescence of scars under Wood's lamp. All patients whose lesions didn't fluoresce displayed less than 50% repigmentation, with 5 of 6 attaining 0% to 24%. Of the 3 patients displaying bright or some fluorescence, more than 95% repigmentation was achieved in 2 patients (skin phototypes V and VI), while less than 24% was attained for the third (skin phototype II). CONCLUSIONS: In this small case series, lack of fluorescence in leukodermic scars may be a useful negative prognostic indicator for MKTP, but additional trials are needed to verify that this is not due to melanocompetency.