Treatment of stable and recalcitrant vitiligo by autologous miniature punch grafting: a prospective study of 1,000 patients.
BACKGROUND
Stable and refractory vitiligo may be unresponsive to medical therapy. Melanocyte transplantation by punch grafting (PG) can restore the normal pigmentation.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of PG on repigmentation of vitiligo patches.


METHODS
Autologous miniature PG was undertaken in 1,000 patients with stable and recalcitrant vitiligo. Test grafting (TG) was done in all the patients. Those who showed negative TG results were excluded from the study.


RESULTS
Of the 1,000 patients, 880 (88%) showed positive TG results. In 656 (74.55%) patients, 90-100% repigmentation was achieved. In 93 (10.57%) patients, there was no spread of pigment, while in 21 (2.39%) patients depigmentation of the graft(s) was notices. Of various complications, polka dot appearance (43.98%) and colour mismatch (34.32%) were most frequent.


CONCLUSIONS
Partial to near-total repigmentation of a vitiligo patch can be achieved by PG.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000628:therapy*