title: Melanocytes and keratinocytes transfer using sandpaper technique combined with dermabrasion for stable vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgery is currently the most successful approach for difficult cases of vitiligo. The efficacy of epidermal surface removal (dermabrasion) is near 50%, and the efficacy of grafts is 70%.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combined approach using dermabrasion and grafting for unresponsive vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients with stable vitiligo each underwent two different procedures on different body areas: transfer of melanocytes and epidermal cells obtained using the "sandpaper method" combined with dermabrasion of the receptor area or simple dermabrasion. Micropunch testing was used to evaluate the activity of vitiligo. Only patients without activity were treated. Subjects were followed for 3 months, and digital pictures were analyzed to estimate the percentage of repigmentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transfer delivered visible results in the first month, and dermabrasion showed results in the second month. The quality of pigmentation was superior with the transfer technique, especially in the short term, although at the end of treatment, both techniques showed similar results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transfer of melanocytes and keratinocytes with the sandpaper method is feasible, safe, and effective as treatment for stable vitiligo, although simple dermabrasion is as effective in the long term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology, Universidade ABC Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. natachaq@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Natacha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Quezada
authors.forename: Carlos App
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Machado Filho
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De La Sotta
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Uribe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003869:Dermabrasion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult