Vitiligo

Definition:

Vitiligo is a disfiguring medical disease whose cause is unknown. The disease causes destruction or loss of function of melanocytes in the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, inner ear, and occasionally in hair bulbs. Melanocytes produce the pigment that gives skin its color. The loss of melanocytes alters both the structure and function of these organs and results in the absence of pigment.

Scope:

This disease affects an estimated 1% of the world's population. It affects individuals of all ethnic origins and both sexes. Loss of pigment most commonly is noted first on the hands, feet, arms, face or lips. Frequently this disease is progressive.

Surgical:

You should consider the surgical treatment of vitiligo only if:

• Your vitiligo has not changed in the last year.
• You are not responding to PUVA or PUVB treatment.
• Your skin has never permanently lost its color (pigment) when you have suffered a small cut or scrape.

Skin grafting

• Normal skin is used as donor tissue and then grafts are surgically transplanted on areas of vitiligo. The new skin grafts start producing pigment.
• Patients who are candidates for this procedure must have stable vitiligo, or vitiligo that has not changed for at least six months.
• This procedure can be used for patients with limited areas of vitiligo and also in those with more extensive disease. Patients can decide to use grafts on one area of the body (such as the face) and choose another therapy for other areas affected by vitiligo (such as the hands).
• Skin grafting has a high success rate — 80 to 90 percent in most patients.
• This in-office procedure is not widely used in the United States but is commonly used in other countries (particularly in South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, India and China).