Epidermal grafting for depigmentation due to discoid lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND

Longstanding lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) may heal with thin, depigmented scar(s). The depigmentation may fail to respond to medical therapies.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of suction blister epidermal grafting in longstanding, quiescent, depigmented scar(s) of DLE.

METHODS

The suction blisters were raised on the lateral aspect of the upper third of the thigh in 4 patients (3 males, 1 female) with depigmented scars of DLE on the face. The roofs of the blisters were transferred to the dermabraded recipient area. Both donor and recipient sites were dressed with nonadherent tulle.

RESULTS

The dressings were removed after 7 days. The graft take was complete. The pigmentation achieved was more than 100% of the grafted area due to peripheral spread of the pigmentation and more than 75% of the depigmented area. The color match was good. There was no loss of pigment or recurrence/relapse of the disease during the follow-up of 6 months to 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary results suggest that leukodermic scars of healed inactive DLE lesions can be successfully treated with epidermal grafting.