Comparison of two surgical approaches for treating vitiligo: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
Surgical techniques have recently been introduced for patients with vitiligo. Randomized controlled trials have not been performed.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and side-effects of two surgical methods (suction blister vs. thin split-thickness graft technique) for the treatment of vitiligo.


METHODS
Three suction blisters, approximately 0.8 cm in diameter, made with a special tool attached to a vacuum extractor, which were converted to erosions by removal of the roofs of the bullae, and one round erosion of approximately the same diameter, made using a silver knife, were created. One roof of a blister and two cutaneous thin split-thickness grafts taken from the gluteal region were transferred onto recipient vitiliginous areas; one was left alone. The results were evaluated by one non-blind and two blind observers bimonthly during the 3-month follow-up period.


RESULTS
Repigmentation rates were 25-65% in the suction blister technique and 90% in the thin split-thickness graft technique (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The thin split-thickness graft technique is superior to the suction blister technique in treating vitiligo.
Ozdemir
Mustafa
M
Departments of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 80200 Turkey. mustafaozdemir@yahoo.com
Cetinkale
Oğuz
O
Wolf
Ronni
R
Kotoğyan
Agop
A
Mat
Cem
C
Tüzün
Binnur
B
Tüzün
Yalçin
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000601:surgery*