Effect of procedural-related variables on melanocyte-keratinocyte suspension transplantation in nonsegmental stable vitiligo: A clinical and immunocytochemical study

BACKGROUND Melanocyte-keratinocyte suspension (M-K susp) is gaining popularity for vitiligo treatment. Few studies have addressed procedure-related variables. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of different M-K susp procedure-related variables on the clinical outcome in stable vitiligo. METHODS This prospective multicenter comparative study included 40 cases with nonsegmental stable vitiligo. Donor site was either a skin graft in noncultured epidermal cell suspension (NCECS) or hair follicle units in outer root sheath hair follicle suspension (ORSHFS). Recipient site was prepared by either cryoblebbing or CO 2 laser resurfacing. Cell counts and viability were recorded in the cell suspensions. Tissue melanocytes and keratinocytes were examined by melan-A and cytokeratin, respectively. Assessment of repigmentation was performed 18 months after the procedure. RESULTS Thirty-seven subjects completed the study. Cell count was significantly lower in the ORSHFS compared with NCECS with no significant difference in the repigmentation outcome. On comparing techniques of recipient site preparation, homogenicity was better in the CO 2 group. Elbows and knees responded better to CO 2 resurfacing, whereas distal fingers responded better to combination of cryoblebbing with NCECS. CONCLUSION Using different techniques in M-K susp produces comparable results. However, the distal fingers showed better results using combination of donor NCECS and recipient cryoblebs.