Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a chronic, progressive and unpredictable pigmentation disorder that causes some areas of the skin to lose its colour, appearing to be depigmented patches due to the disappearance of functioning melanocytes in the epidermis. It can impact the patient cosmetically, and the affected skin can be more sensitive to sunburns. Common body sites including face, elbows, knees, hands and feet, it can affect any age and gender. Vitiligo is usually treated with creams and medications. When Vitiligo fails to improve with these treatments, further treatment such as surgical therapy will be considered for patients with stable vitiligo.


Types of Vitiligo Surgical Therapy:




•  Suction blister grafting

  Good cosmetic results can be achieved with suction blister grafting, with minimal scarring on either the donor site or the recipient site. This method is generally safe with good success rates.

•  Transfer of Melanocytes to achieve repigmentation

  The pigment cells (melanocytes) of the patient are extracted from a part of body not affected by vitiligo. These cells are then cultured in an artificial medium. The cultured melanocytes are then deposited over the vitiligo patch.