The additive effect of excimer laser on non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo: a clinical trial in an Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: Non-cultured cellular grafting is specified for stable vitiligo treatment as a novel surgical technique, however, the additive effect of excimer laser on melanocytes-keratinocytes transplantation (MKT) have not experienced yet. OBJECTIVE: To assay the additive effect of excimer laser on MKT for the treatment of vitiligo in an Iranian population. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this non-randomized clinical trial, 39 patches were evaluated. Nine patches treated by MKT alone, 10 patches treated by MKT and excimer laser, 10 patches treated with excimer alone and 10 patches left without any treatments as control patches. RESULTS: In the patches treated with excimer, the percentage reduction of depigmented area from baseline varied, ranging from 0 to 43.9%. In the nine patches treated with non-cultured MKT, the median percentage reduction of depigmented area from baseline was 15.9%. The median percentage reduction of depigmented area in excimer + MKT was 41.9% .In the untreated patches, the median percentage reduction of depigmented area was 0.1%. After controlling for the effect of 'depigmented area at baseline', significant reductions were observed in depigmented area of the patches treated with combination therapy of excimer and non-cultured MKT in comparison with the other therapies and untreated patches. CONCLUSION: Although pigmentation in our patients was lower than previous reports from Iran and other countries, however, we signified adding excimer to MKT increased the pigmentation rate in treated patches. Further investigations are recommended with longer follow-up and larger series to validate the findings reported here.

Supraciliary wrinkles and botulinum toxin A.

BACKGROUND: Injection of botulinum toxin into certain areas of face that carry a high risk of ptosis (danger zone) needs caution in application. An example is the lateral forehead, particularly the lower portion. AIM: In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of treating supraciliary wrinkles in the lower lateral forehead by injections of botulinum toxin at the temporal hairline, keeping a reasonable distance from danger zone. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 40 women (mean age 35 years) were selected and divided into two groups, A and B. both groups were treated with botulinum toxin to treat wrinkles in the frown area, as well as frontal lines and lateral canthus lines. Group B received extra injections at each temporal line for treatment of supraciliary wrinkles. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in total wrinkle number and mean number of wrinkles between the two groups after injections (paired t-test, P < 0.01). No ptosis was seen in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of botulinum toxin type A through the temporal hairline to correct supraciliary wrinkles seems to be safe and effective.