Preliminary Results of Examination and Treatment with Autologous Melanocytes in a Group of 43 Patients with Vitiligo

Overview

Due to the difficulty to treat vitiligo surgical methods of autotransplantation of cultivated melanocytes on prepared skin surface are tested.The authors describe the procedure, experience and some preliminary results of vitiligo treatment by transplantation of autologous melanocytes on the skin surface prepared by dermabrasion.Suspensions of autologous melanocytes (obtained by biopsy of healthy pigmented skin) were applied by means of a pipette on the depigmented area prepared by dermabrasion or by transepidermal injection using a special pressure device Dermojet.When investigating repigmentation the authors evaluated the area treated by dermabrasion and Dermojet. From a group of 43 patients (33 women, 10 men) preliminary evaluations were made so far in 12 patients, incl. 9 where 3 months had elapsed since the procedure and in 3 patients after 12 months. In the remaining 31 subjects the evaluation was not yet completed because of the short interval since the procedure (1-4 weeks).Preliminary results revealed in all 9 patients incipient repigmentation 8-12 weeks after the procedure. In the group of 3 patients complete repigmentation was achieved 6-8 months after the procedure in two of the patients. In one patient the condition was unsatisfactory (repigmentation did not occur within 12 months after the procedure).Along with clinical data the authors investigated relations of clinical parameters of the disease. Of the investigated diseases associated with autoimmunity of the organism from the group of 43 patients in 11 thyreopathy was detected and in another 11 atopic eczema. As to provoking factors, in the case-history stressing situations predominated as trigger mechanisms.

Key words:
vitiligo - clinical parameters - autotransplantation with cultivated melanocytes