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.