Four compartment method: a simplified and cost-effective method of noncultured epidermal cell suspension for the treatment of vitiligo.

BACKGROUND

Despite continued progress towards an elucidation of pathogenetic pathways in vitiligo, a definitive cure remains elusive. Noncultured epidermal cell suspension (NCECS) is emerging as the treatment of choice for surgical management of both stable and segmental vitiligo. NCECS is very effective in repigmenting stable vitiligo, but the technique requires an expert and the support of a laboratory facility.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate a simplified and more cost-effective method for NCECS.

METHODS

We simplified the conventional NCECS method and made it more cost-effective and simple enough to be performed in the clinic without laboratory equipment. We named this the four compartment (FC) method. Six patients with vitiligo were treated with this FC method.

RESULTS

The FC method for NCECS is highly cost-effective and simple. Six patients with vitiligo were treated and the results showed marked to complete repigmentation in four patients and > 50% repigmentation in two patients in 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The FC method is a cost-effective and simple procedure to prepare epidermal cell suspensions. In this modified method we showed that there is no need for pipette, tips, centrifuge tube and most importantly a centrifuge machine or any other expensive laboratory equipment.