Laser Ablation of the Recipient Area With Platelet-Rich Plasma–Enriched Epidermal Suspension Transplant in Vitiligo Surgery: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND Noncultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation is a very popular surgical modality for treating vitiligo. However, the procedure can be modified to improve results. OBJECTIVE To study the extent of repigmentation with noncultured trypsinized fragmented epidermal suspension using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a suspending agent and pixel erbium yttrium aluminium garnet laser for ablation of recipient area in patients with stable vitiligo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Autologous noncultured tiny epidermal fragments suspended in PRP were grafted on superficially pixel erbium YAG laser-ablated vitiligo lesions in 10 patients. The repigmentation was evaluated over a period of 6 months using a digital image analysis system. RESULTS Repigmentation was observed as early as 2 weeks after the treatment. Of 20 lesions, 12 (60%) showed excellent response; of which 10 lesions (50%) showed complete repigmentation in 8 weeks only. There were no milia or keloid formation, donor-site scarring, stuck on appearance at recipient site or infection. CONCLUSION This study indicates that PRP-enriched epidermal suspension transplant (LA-PEEST) has the potential to improve the rate of healing and repigmentation in vitiligo patches. Further investigations and larger controlled trials are required to establish this technique as a rapid surgical method to restore pigmentation.

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