Premium
Surgical interventions for vitiligo: an evidence‐based review
Author(s) -
Mulekar S.V.,
Isedeh P.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.12532
Subject(s) - medicine , vitiligo , dermatology , psychological intervention , randomized controlled trial , medline , surgery , systematic review , psychiatry , political science , law
Summary Background Vitiligo is a disfiguring disease, characterized frequently by the presence of de‐pigmented macules and/or patches. Traditional therapies are essentially medical and are most preferred by dermatologists. Surgical therapies, however, are amongst the most effective interventions for vitiligo but are limited by their invasive nature, as well as the training and expertise needed to perform specific procedures. Objectives To assess the evidence for the effectiveness, safety and applicability of the various surgical methods in the treatment of vitiligo. Methods For this systematic review of vitiligo surgical therapies, our searches included: P ub M ed, MEDLINE and C ochrane databases. Results We reviewed research studies reporting on split thickness skin grafts ( STSG ), punch/mini‐graft, blister roof grafting, cultured and non‐cultured cellular transplantation ( MKTP ). While all methods vary in their repigmentation outcomes, STSG is found to have the highest repigmentation success rate. Overall, post‐operative complications included milia, scarring, cobblestone appearance or hyperpigmentation of treated areas. Conclusion This review highlights the need for more randomized controlled trials in this field, underpinned by a more standardized objective approach to the assessment of repigmentation following surgical interventions.