REPIGMENTATION IN VITILIGO VULGARIS BY AUTOLOGOUS MINIGRAFTING - RESULTS IN 19 PATIENTS

Background: Minigrafting is a successful therapy for localized vitilig o but has never been reported for vitiligo vulgaris. Objective. Our pu rpose was to evaluate the efficacy of minigrafting in vitiligo vulgari s. Methods: In 59 patients with stable vitiligo vulgaris, a minigraft test was done by implanting two minigrafts in the lesion to be grafted . Patients were selected for grafting when spread of pigment was obser ved within 3 months. The rate of repigmentation was evaluated by digit al image analysis. Results: Twenty-three patients (36 lesions), of 24 with a positive minigraft test, were grafted. The results of 19 patien ts were analyzed, showing 80% to 99% repigmentation in 14 lesions, 50% to 80% repigmentation in 10 lesions, and zero to 50% repigmentation i n 12 lesions. Time of observation varied from 3 to 12 months after gra fting. Best results were observed after 9 to 12 months. In all patient s with a positive Koebner phenomenon depigmentation of the minigrafts developed. Conclusion: Autologous minigrafting is an effective therapy for stable vitiligo vulgaris in a selected group of patients.