Ultrathin Skin Grafting in Resistant Stable Vitiligo: A Follow-up Study of 8 Years in 370 Patients.
BACKGROUND
Ultrathin skin grafting (UTSG) is a tissue grafting technique used in resistant stable vitiligo.


OBJECTIVE
To assess long-term follow-up results achieved with UTSG in vitiligo.


METHODS
Over a span of 8 years, a total of 415 patients with stable vitiligo were treated with UTSG at the authors' institute. Retrospective analysis of results achieved in these patients was performed, and primary end points assessed included the extent and quality of repigmentation achieved and adverse effects from the procedure. Results were correlated with the site, morphological type of vitiligo, duration of stability, postprocedure treatment used, and the age and sex of the patient.


RESULTS
Follow-up results were available with 554 lesions in 370 patients. Excellent response (≥90% repigmentation) was documented in 78.9% (437/554) lesions whereas 8.67% (48/554) lesions demonstrated poor results. Pigmentation was retained in >98% (112/114) cases over 4-year follow-up. The commonest adverse effect noted was "perigraft halo" in 12.3% (68/554) lesions. Site and morphological type of vitiligo as well as the postoperative use of phototherapy showed statistically significant correlation with response. Age and sex of the patient and duration of stability beyond 1 year did not influence the outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrathin skin grafting provides long-term beneficial results in stable resistant vitiligo.
*All authors are affiliated with the CUTIS Institute of Dermatology, Srinagar, India.
Imran
I
Majid
Saher
S
Imran
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult