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Comparison of two surgical approaches for treating vitiligo: a preliminary study
Author(s) -
Özdemir Mustafa,
Çetinkale Oğuz,
Wolf Ronni,
Kotoğyan Agop,
Mat Cem,
Tüzün Binnur,
Tüzün Yalçın
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01391.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vitiligo , blisters , suction blister , suction , surgery , dermatology , mechanical engineering , engineering , immunology
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.