Punch graft versus follicular hair transplantation in the treatment of stable vitiligo.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of follicular hair transplantation and mini punch graft in the treatment of stable vitiligo.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with stable vitiligo were included in this comparative study. A single patch from each patient was divided into two halves: one half was treated by punch graft, while the other half was treated by follicular hair transplantation followed by excimer light twice weekly, and the outcome was assessed at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months post operatively by photography and quartile scale.

RESULTS

At the final visit, the percentage of improvement of vitiligo in punch graft-treated side was significantly higher than that in follicular hair transplantation-treated side (p < 0.05). Also, repigmentation after punch grafting occurred after a mean period of 2.5 ± 0.5 weeks (range, 2-3 weeks), while after follicular hair transplantation, repigmentation occurred after 5.2 ± 1.9 weeks (range, 5-8 weeks) (p < 0.05). Cobblestone appearance was the most common complication after punch graft; it occurred in 29 patients (90%), while no reported side effects occurred after follicular graft technique.

CONCLUSION

Punch grafting is more effective than follicular grafting in the treatment of stable vitiligo; however, follicular hair transplantation is cosmetically better, so we recommend it in exposed areas as face.