Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI)

Background: Segmental vitiligo is a small subset albeit persistent form of focal vitiligo with dermatomal distribution and resistant to medical therapy. In recent years, surgical therapy as hair follicle autograft transplantation has been a hot topic in management of segmental vitiligo. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of this method in segmental vitiligo lesions.

Methods: The study recruited 10 patients who suffered from resistant segmental vitiligo to evaluate the effect of transplantation of pigmented hair follicles on re-pigmentation of the affected area. In this method, one or two punched-biopsy skin sample with a diameter of 5mm were harvested from occipital area of the scalps. Grafts were trimmed and divided into the follicular segments with at least one follicle in the interior and then inserted in the depigmented areas. Follow-up plan studies were scheduled to evaluate presence of pigmentation in the perifollicular areas.

Results: After 2 weeks, re-pigmentation was detectable surrounding the grafted hair follicles in 60 % of the cases. After 6 months, all of the patients had detectable re-pigmented area of about 2-9 mm.

Conclusion: giving the surprising result of the study, hair follicle autograft transplant is an effective treatment option in the persistent segmental vitiligo.