title: Autologous cell suspension grafting in segmental vitiligo and piebaldism: a randomized controlled trial comparing full surface and fractional CO2laser recipient-site preparations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous noncultured cell suspension transplantation is an effective treatment for repigmentation in segmental vitiligo and piebaldism. Full surface laser ablation is frequently used to prepare the recipient site before cell suspension transplantation, even though the optimal laser settings and ablation depth are unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and safety of less invasive recipient-site preparations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial we compared different recipient-site preparations before cell suspension transplantation in segmental vitiligo and piebaldism. In each patient, we randomly allocated three CO2laser recipient-site preparations (209 and 144 μm full surface, and fractional) and a control (no treatment) to four depigmentations. After 6 months we assessed repigmentation and side-effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 10 patients with vitiligo (n = 3) and piebaldism (n = 7). Compared with the control site, we found more repigmentation after full surface ablation at 209 μm (median 68·7%, P = 0·01) and 144 μm (median 58·3%, P = 0·007), but no repigmentation after fractional ablation (median 0·0%, P = 0·14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Superficial full surface ablation with a depth of 144 μm is an effective recipient-site preparation before cell suspension transplantation, while fractional CO2laser is not.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J E
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6585-9287
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lommerts
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Meesters
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Komen
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bekkenk
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.|Department of Dermatology, VU Medical Centre, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Rie
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Luiten
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolkerstorfer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016116:Piebaldism / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D066027:Transplant Recipients; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult