Background and techniques

Abstract

In many cases, medical therapies and ultraviolet light (UV) treatments may be of benefit for vitiligo patients. However, as in some other disorders characterized by a loss or lack of melanocytes in the epidermis as well as in the hair follicles (i.e., piebaldism, segmental vitiligo, and depigmentation after burn injury), these approaches may fail. Also, many cases of generalized vitiligo do not respond to medical or UV-treatment, especially those with lesions on hands, fingers, feet, and toes (i.e., areas with reduced numbers of hair follicles). To overcome this lack of response to noninvasive methods, a number of surgical techniques have been developed. Several of these techniques have been used in clinical practice for many years and are part of standard treatments used today. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.