Direct Melanocytes Transplant from Normal Donor Area into Vitiliginous Recipient Area by Dermabrasion Technique

Khalifa E. Sharquie, Adil A. Noaimi, Hana A. Al-Mudaris

Chairman of the Scientific Council of Dermatology & Venereology, Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations, Baghdad, Iraq.
Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Baghdad Teaching Hospita, Baghdad, Iraq.
Department of Dermatology & Venereology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

DOI: 10.4236/jcdsa.2012.24055                

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is an autoimmune pigmentory disorder, that affects all age group that is treated by many medical treatments but some of them might need surgical therapy. Objective: To evaluate the dermabrasion technique in the treatment of vitiligo by direct transfer of melanocytes from the dermabraded normal donor area to the vitiliginous recipient area. Patients and Methods: This is a case interventional study was done in Department of Dermatology/Baghdad Teaching Hospital from February 2011-March 2012. Nine Patients with vitiligo were enrolled in this study with different clinical types of vitiligo including 5 segmental, 2 generalized and 2 localized. The donor and recipient areas were anesthetized at the same time with xylocain alone. Dermabrasion of recipient area was done first by manual abrader and left for few minutes until the oozing was stopped. Then the donor area was similarly dermabraded and the dermabraded tissue including the epidermis and superficial epidermis was immediately transferred into the recipient area and dressing was applied. Removal of the dressing was done after 10 - 14 days from the operative time. Follow up was done every 2 weeks in the first month then monthly for six months to record the result of implantation and repigmentation. Results: The re-pigmentation started one month after the operation as small macules and this increased gradually over time: the mean rate of re-pigmentation was 13% at 2 months, 27.8% at 4 months and 36.78% at 6 months. In addition, sun light exposure was applied to enhance re-pigmentation. The pigmentation was diffuse and not follicular in shape. Conclusion: Direct transfer of melanocytes from normal donor area into vitiliginous recipient area by dermabrasion technique was easy, rapid and non-costly and gave 36.78% mean rate of pigmentation at 6 months follow up and without complications.

Keywords

Vitiligo; Melanocytes Transplant; Dermabrasion; Direct Transfer

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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