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Has anyone had this procedure done or know anything about it's success? Please respond if anyone knows. Thinking about doing the procedure.

MELANOCYTE TRANSPLANTATION:

Melanocyte transplantation is a surgical method for the treatment of vitiligo.

WHO CAN BENEFIT THE MOST

Those patients who have stable vitiligo for a period of at least 6 months are good candidates to undergo the procedure. Patients should fulfill the following requirements for the six months prior to the procedure.

1.              No growth of existing patches.

2.              No new patches.

3.              Any cuts, scratches, burns or other skin injury should have healed with normal skin color.

RESPONSE ACCORDING TO TYPE OF VITILIGO:

1. Localized vitiligo – Responds the best to this procedure
2. Widespread vitiligo – Response varies
3. Vitiligo involving all or almost all of the fingertips – patches on any part of the body respond poorly. We do not recommend surgery for these patients

HOW MUCH AREA CAN BE TREATED?

In one operative session a total of up to 16 sq. in. (4 in X 4 in) white patches can be treated depending upon the sites involved. This may be one large patch or several smaller patches.  If the area affected is large, more than one session may be necessary.

IS ONE OPERATIVE SESSION ENOUGH FOR COMPLETE RECOVERY?

Sometimes a few white spots remain in between the treated and repigmented patch. If this occurs, repeating the procedure is an option. Between 30 and 50% of patients may require repeat surgery for the best results.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Repigmentation begins within 2-3 months of the procedure and continues up to 6 months after the procedure 
• Excellent cosmetic results are possible
• Difficult areas like bony surfaces, areola, and the genital region can be treated
• Outpatient procedure which takes 1 to 3 hours
• A very small piece of normal skin is sufficient to treat large affected area, (for example 1in² of donor skin is enough to treat 10 in² of vitiligo patches.)

COMPLICATIONS & SIDE EFFECTS!

1.      Since no medications are used except post-operative antibiotics, side effects are rare.

2.      Development of vitiligo in the area that the normal skin sample is taken from may occur in around 2 patients out of one-hundred.

3.      There may be a hypopigmented ring at the borders of treated and repigmented patches in some of the patients. Usually this ring disappears automatically or with application of cortisone creams, or by repeat surgery. 

4.      Bacterial infection is rare—we may prescribe antibiotics on a case-by-case basis

5.      The skin involved in the procedure is injected with lidocaine to numb the areas.  This may be uncomfortable for some patients.  Additionally there may be some discomfort associated with the application of some of the dressings at the end of the procedure.

PREOPERATIVE PREPARATION

It is recommended that you eat before the procedure to minimize the chance of your developing lightheadedness after the procedure.  We also offer anti-anxiety mediations before the procedure for patients who feel anxious.  If you would like to take one of these medications you will have to arrange for a ride home after the procedure