title: Comparative evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of dermabrasion, dermabrasion combined with topical 5% 5-fluorouracil cream, and dermabrasion combined with topical placentrex gel in localized stable vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo affects 1% of the world's population with a higher incidence in dark-skinned individuals. Many medical treatments have been attempted with partial success, but recent focus has been on surgical techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of dermabrasion, dermabrasion combined with 5% 5-fluorouracil cream, and dermabrasion combined with topical placentrex gel in the management of localized stable vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with localized stable vitiligo (at least three lesions each) were treated. After dermabrasion, a soframycin tulle dressing was placed on the first lesion, a topical 5% 5-fluorouracil dressing on the second, and a topical placentrex gel dressing on the third for 7 days after the procedure, and the patients were followed up for 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The efficacy of treatment was highest (73.33%) and most rapid in lesions treated with dermabrasion combined with 5-fluorouracil. Dermabrasion alone and dermabrasion combined with placentrex gel showed similar efficacy in localized stable vitiligo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dermabrasion combined with 5-fluorouracil is the most efficacious of the three treatment modalities studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, GGS Medical College, Faridkot, India.
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.forename: Bharat Bhushan
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: Rajesh Rani
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohri
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003869:Dermabrasion; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D010924:Placental Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D010924:Placental Extracts; D005472:Fluorouracil