title: Epidermal skin grafting in vitiligo: a pilot study.
abstract: Vitiligo is a multifactorial acquired dermatosis characterised by achromic or hypochromic macules and by the absence of functioning melanocytes. Treatment depends on the extent of the affected areas and on disease activity. Surgical techniques have proven to be effective in stable cases but can be time-consuming and, in some cases, aesthetically unsatisfying or painful for the patients. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical safety and effectiveness of a new automatic epidermal skin harvesting device in patients with stable localised vitiligo over a minimum 12-month period. This new system (CELLUTOME™ Epidermal Harvesting System, KCI, an ACELITY Company, San Antonio, TX) is a commercially available epidermal skin harvesting system that can be used without local anaesthesia or other pre-treatments and has been shown to have low rates of donor site morbidity. Epidermal skin grafts can used in patients with acute and hard to heal chronic wounds, burns and stable vitiligo. The use of advanced therapies may improve the quality of life, have cost benefits and accelerate re-pigmentation of patients with vitiligo. In our preliminary study, this system was seen to be a safe and efficacious means of harvesting epidermal micrografts containing melanocytes for use in patients with stable vitiligo unresponsive to standard therapies.
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janowska
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dini
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panduri
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macchia
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oranges
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romanelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Epidermal skin grafting; Skin grafting; Vitiligo