Autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension combined with platelet rich fibrin for the treatment of stable vitiligo: A case series

Abstract

Non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCECS) is a relatively new cellular grafting technique for vitiligo. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is a platelet and immune concentrate gather on a single fibrin membrane which can be used in conjunction with grafts and has several advantages, such as promoting wound healing, haemostasis, and give better handling properties to graft materials. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of NCECS combined with PRF in patients with stable vitiligo. Seven patients with stable vitiligo which not responding to topical and phototherapy for more than 12 months were included in the study. The melanocytes were harvested as an autologous melanocyte rich suspension from a donor skin. The non cultured melanocyte transplanted to recipient area that had been superficially dermabraded and smeared with PRF gel. Of all 7 patients, 1 patients showed excellent pigmentation (90-100%), 2 had good repigmentation (60-89%), 1 had fair repigmentation (25-59%) and 3 patients had a poor response (0-24%). The procedure is safe and promising surgical modality for stable vitiligo.