Comparison of Smash Skin Grafting and Autologous Non-cultured Epidermal Cell Suspension in Re-pigmentation of Stable Vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is the most common depigmenting dermatosis causing immense psychosocial concern. When medical therapies fail to cause re-pigmentation, surgical modalities are developed to combat the same in stable vitiligo patients. Here we are comparing two such surgeries: smash skin grafting (SSG) and autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to compare the efficacy of SSG and NCES in re-pigmentation of stable vitiligo and to know the feasibility of both the surgeries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is an open, randomized, and prospective study conducted in dermatology outpatient department at a tertiary care center. Thirty patients with single stable vitiligo lesion were randomized into two groups: 15 each in Group A (SSG) and Group B (NCES). Following the surgery, excimer lamp phototherapy was initiated twice weekly. Patients were followed up till 16 weeks of surgery. Photo-documentation was done every month. Grading was performed for the response in the form of re-pigmentation as excellent (>75%), good (50-75%), fair (25-50%), and poor (<25%). The χ2 test was used to analyze statistical significance.

RESULTS: Both the surgeries showed initial specks of re-pigmentation at 10-14 days post-surgery. Excellent response (>75% re-pigmentation) was observed in 10 (66.67%) patients in Group A and 9 (60%) patients in Group B. Both the surgeries showed equal response and uniform texture of re-pigmentation.

CONCLUSION: SSG is equally effective when compared with NCES, in causing re-pigmentation. Also, SSG is simple, easy to perform, faster learning curve, less time-consuming, and cost-effective when compared with NCES.