Surgical Treatments for Vitiligo: When and How to Consider Skin Grafting and Cell Transplants

Surgical Treatments for Vitiligo: When and How to Consider Skin Grafting and Cell Transplants

Blog Article

When conventional therapies like topical agents and phototherapy fail to yield significant improvements, surgical interventions can offer hope for repigmentation in stable vitiligo. Surgical options are generally reserved for patients whose vitiligo has not progressed for at least 6–12 months and who have not responded to other treatments. One of the most common techniques is punch grafting, where small skin samples from normally pigmented areas are transplanted onto depigmented regions. Another method, suction blister grafting, uses the epidermal layer from pigmented areas to cover vitiliginous skin. More advanced procedures involve melanocyte-keratinocyte cell transplantation, in which pigment cells are harvested, cultured, and applied to depigmented skin after superficial dermabrasion. These techniques can produce highly satisfactory cosmetic results, especially on visible areas like the face or hands. However, surgical treatments carry risks, such as infection, scarring, and poor pigment match. Success rates depend on several factors including the location and type of vitiligo, the patient’s skin type, and adherence to post-operative care. It is crucial to undergo these procedures under the care of experienced dermatologic surgeons. While not suitable for everyone, surgery can dramatically improve quality of life for selected patients with stubborn or disfiguring vitiligo.