Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing autologous noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation for vitiligo and other leukodermas.

BACKGROUND

Persistence of pigmentation after a melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure (MKTP) is an important consideration for efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine long-term repigmentation of MKTP in vitiligo and other leukodermas.

METHODS

A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted for all MKTPs performed at Henry Ford Hospital between January 2009 and April 2014. Repigmentation was assessed by a 5-point grading scale (poor to excellent) and Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI).

RESULTS

One hundred patients had MKTP performed at 236 anatomically-based lesions (ABLs); 63 patients with 157 ABLs had long-term data available (12-72 months; median, 24 months). Segmental vitiligo, nonsegmental vitiligo, and physical leukoderma demonstrated improvement in VASI scores: -75.6 ± 24.6%, -59.2 ± 36.6%, and -32.4 ± 33.5%, respectively. In vitiligo, at 24, 48, and 72 months after MKTP, 53%, 64%, and 53% of ABLs, respectively, maintained >75% repigmentation. Skin phototype, age, and anatomic location of ABLs had no significant effect on the outcome of treatment.

LIMITATIONS: Limitations of the study include the retrospective design with uncontrolled, postoperative adjuvant treatments and inconsistent compliance to scheduled follow-up evaluations.

CONCLUSIONS

MKTP provides satisfactory long-term repigmentation in the majority of appropriately selected patients with leukoderma. MKTP can maintain repigmentation for at least 72 months.