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Surgical therapies for vitiligo and other leukodermas, part 1: minigrafting and suction epidermal grafting
Author(s) -
Falabella Rafael
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8019.2001.014001007.x
Subject(s) - vitiligo , medicine , hypopigmentation , dermatology , suction , suction blister , skin grafting , surgery , mechanical engineering , engineering
Vitiligo and other disorders of hypopigmentation are common cutaneous dermatoses that can give rise to considerable aesthetic concerns. In some patients these leukodermas are treated successfully with medical therapies such as topical corticosteroids and PUVA therapy. However, not all patients and not all lesions respond and as a result, surgical therapies are often required to restore normal pigmentation. The two most common and simple procedures, minigrafting (implantation of 1.0–1.2 mm grafts) and suction epidermal grafting (transfer of only epidermis harvested via negative pressures), are described in detail. Repigmentation with these two techniques, if carried out properly, yields good to excellent results with minor or no side effects. The most important factors for success are stability of the depigmenting process, an appropriate technique, and careful patient selection. Surgical interventions for stable vitiligo and other types of stable leukoderma are usually not first‐line options, but when medical treatments fail, they represent the best available therapies.