VITILIGO SURGERY
Vitiligo Surgeries (Surgical Management of Stable Vitiligo)
What’s the Procedure:
Vitiligo surgeries are minor skin transplant techniques used in stable vitiligo cases that are unresponsive to medical therapy. These help restore pigmentation by transferring healthy melanocytes to depigmented areas.
Mechanism:
Different methods like Suction Blister Grafting, Punch Grafting, Split-Thickness Grafting, or Non-Cultured Melanocyte Suspension are used to transplant pigment-producing cells into the vitiligo patch.
Indications:
Stable vitiligo (no progression for 1 year)
Localized patches resistant to medical treatment
Lip, fingertip, eyelid involvement
Focal, segmental vitiligo types
Anaesthesia Required or Not:
Yes, local anesthesia is used at both donor and recipient sites.
Painful or Not:
Minimal discomfort post-surgery; manageable with analgesics.
What to Expect from the Treatment:
Pigmentation begins in 3–4 weeks
Multiple sessions may be needed
Some scabbing and healing at donor and recipient sites
Often followed by phototherapy for better results
Who Can Do:
Only those with stable vitiligo confirmed by a dermatologist. Not for rapidly spreading or active vitiligo.
When It Can Be Done:
Preferably during winter months. Avoid in summer or during infection.
