Autologous miniature punch skin grafting in stable vitiligo

Abstract

Autologous split thickness miniature punch skin grafting is one of the surgical modes of treatment of stable vitiligo. Out of 87 different sites, of stable vitiligo, occurring in 62 cases, (32 focal, 22 segmental and 8 generalised) 75 sites showed total repigmentation with excellent cosmetic colour match. Out of the 62 cases, 46 cases who were treated postsurgically with PUVA therapy repigmented within 2 ½ to 3 months, 10 cases, who received no treatment postsurgically repigmented by 3 ½ to 6 months. In addition 6 cases in whom no treatment was given postsurgically had to be given PUVA therapy 3 months after surgery as there was poor repigmentation. The complications seen were graft rejection due to improper immobilization in 6 cases, graft rejection due to secondary infection in 1, contact allergic dermatitis to framycetin in 3, and reactivation of vitiligo in 2. Side effects seen were cobblestoning in 32, sinking pits in 12, variegated appearance in 4, and superficial scarring at donor site in all 62 cases.