REPIGMENTATION OF LEUCODERMIC DEFECTS IN PIEBALDISM BY DERMABRASION AND THIN SPLIT-THICKNESS SKIN-GRAFTING IN COMBINATION WITH MINIGRAFTING

The depigmented skin areas in piebaldism are unresponsive to medical o r light treatment. In 12 adult patients (eight women and four men), a method using dermabrasion and thin split-skin grafts was applied initi ally. Residual leucodermic areas were subsequently treated using a min igrafting method. Additional irradiation with ultraviolet A (10J/cm(2) ) was performed to enhance melanocyte migration. This combined surgica l therapy led to 95-100% repigmentation of the leucodermic defects. A perfect colour match with the surrounding non-lesional skin was achiev ed in all cases. Complications were minor and easy to correct. Dermabr asion and split-skin grafting followed by minigrafting should be consi dered as the first choice of therapy in piebaldism.