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.