Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (Jun 2023)
Transversely Sectioned Mini-Punch Grafting: A Novel Technique for Effective Treatment of Hairline Vitiligo
Abstract
Qiaochu Zhou,1 Wei Wang,2 Qi Yu,1 Jinhui Wang,1 Wenzheng Zhu1 1Department of Dermatology, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Shanghai University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gynecology, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Shanghai University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Wei Wang, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Shanghai University, 75Jinxiu, Wenzhou, 325000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613968900070, Fax +8657788980818, Email [email protected]: Hairline vitiligo is a special area. Hairy areas within the hairline often require repigmentation and regrowing hair shafts. The face and forehead outside the hairline do not require regrowing hair shafts, only repigmentation. To tackle this issue, we modified the conventional mini-punch grafting with a combined application of mini-punch grafting and follicular hair transplant.Methods: Five patients with localized hairline stable vitiligo aged 26– 32 years old had a history of nonsurgical treatments for at least 3 months and without progress. The grafts were transversely sectioned. The intact half follicles were preserved below the cross-section. Sectioned grafts were placed into the chambers for transplanting with forceps.Results: The treatment using transversely sectioned mini-punch grafting with the patient was performed for all five patients, and the results were satisfactory. In the area of the forehead outside the hairline with the sectioned mini-punch grafting above the cross-section, hair loss and repigmentation were observed. In the area of the hairy areas within the hairline, growing hair shafts and repigmentation were observed, without hair loss.Conclusion: Our report can help to manage hairline vitiligo or hairy areas vitiligo. This method can be considered a potential method for the treatment of hairline vitiligo, thus providing a simple solution to complex problems.Keywords: vitiligo, punch grafting, mini-punch grafting, skin punch
