Our Experience of Vitiligo Therapy Through Transplantation of Skin Autografts

Abstract

Vitiligo is a common disease with a characteristic depigmentation of the skin and not fully understoodpathogenesis. Epidermocytes obtained from donor sites of their own skin have been transplanted intodepigmented skin sites in 28 patients with 48 foci at the age of 19–35 years with disease duration from 4 to15 years; the duration of patient monitoring is 12 months. Dermabrasion of the focus has been performedby a dermabrider. Epidermal grafts for transplantation have been obtained by cutting off the covers of theblisters extracted at a negative pressure of 200-300 mm Hg. All patients have tolerated the collection of skinfragments and transplantation of epidermocytes well. After 10-12 PUVA sessions applied to 19 patients,complete repigmentation of 19 foci was observed; repigmentation in 75–80% of the area — in 15 foci;on 50% of the area - in 10 outbreaks, less than 50% - in 4 outbreaks. The greatest effect has been noted inpatients with localization of foci of depigmentation on the trunk and proximal limbs, and with skin phototypeIII. The achieved result was maintained throughout the observation period (12 months).