Autologous Cultured Tissue Engineering Epidermal Sheet Transplantation to Treat Vitiligo of the Hands.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous therapeutic modalities for vitiligo, their efficacy varies. Managing vitiligo affecting the hands poses a particularly intricate challenge, with outcomes trailing those in other anatomical regions. OBJECTIVE: Assess the determinants influencing the efficacy and safety of autocultured tissue engineering epidermal sheets transplantation in treating hand vitiligo, observed over a 6-month follow-up period. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 patients who underwent treatment for hand vitiligo using autocultured tissue engineering epidermal sheets transplantation. Repigmentation extent was evaluated by 2 dermatologists. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 33 patients, including 24 males and 9 females, with an average age of 26.91 ± 9.24 years (range 10-49 years). The mean duration of the disease was 11.61 ± 7.83 years (range 1.5-34 years). Vitiligo lesion stability ranged from 6 months to 4 years, with an average duration of stability calculated at 1.715 ± 1 year. After 6 months, 75.8% (25/33) of patients exhibited a favorable response, with 39.4% (13/33) showing complete or near-complete repigmentation. No adverse events, such as infections or scar formation, were recorded. CONCLUSION: The authors' investigation suggests that autocultured tissue engineering epidermal sheets transplantation is a highly effective and safe therapeutic approach for hand vitiligo, offering a promising treatment avenue.