Autologous grafting with noncultured melanocytes: A simplified method for treatment of depigmented lesions

https://doi.org/10.1016/0190-9622(92)70024-AGet rights and content

Background: Achromic lesions on the trunk and the extremities often do not respond to treatment and little improvement is obtained in cases of segmental vitiligo.

Objective:Transplantation of autologous noncultured melanocytes was performed to obtain a successful repigmentation.

Methods: The grafting method is carried out in two steps: production of blisters on the depigmented lesions by freezing with liquid nitrogen and injection in each blister of a suspension of epidermal cells (mainly keratinocytes and melanocytes). The cellular suspension was obtained from samples of skin of the hair scalp after trypsinization.

Results: Repigmentation was evident within 25 to 30 days. Coalescence of the pigmented areas was spontaneously observed or obtained after UVA stimulation. Patients with two types of leukoderma-vitiligo or nevus depigrnentosus had successful repigmentation after transplantation of autologous noncultured melanocytes.

Conclusion:: This technique appears to be an effective and simple method for treating patients with achromic areas lacking melanocytes.

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a

From the Dermatology Service (Pr. Géniaux), Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux.

b

the Department of Electron Microscopy, Université de Bordeaux I, Talence.

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