Autologous Melanocyte–Keratinocyte Suspension in Patients with Postburn Leukoderma: Dermabrasion versus Erbium YAG Laser for Recipient Site Preparation

Abstract

Background: Postburn leukoderma often is associated with psychosocial disabilities in patients. Several surgical techniques are suggested for the treatment of leukodermic burn scars. Melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure (MKTP) is an important surgical modality for the treatment of this unpleasant complication. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure in postburn leukoderma using dermabrasion or Erbium YAG laser for recipient site preparation. Methods: 11 patients with 44 leukoderma lesions were randomized into two groups of dermabrasion-treated or Erbium-YAG-laser- treated recipient site for melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure. Repigmentation rate and color matching were assessed at least 6 months after the treatment. Findings: The mean percentage of repigmentation in was 64.20 ± 25.80 and 20.00 ± 9.40 in dermabrasion-treated and Erbium-YAG-laser treated groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In dermabrasion group, patients were significantly more satisfied than laser. No major adverse effects were observed except for hypertrophic scar and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in 2 patients at the donor and recipient sites, respectively. Conclusion: Transplantation of autologous melanocyte-keratinocyte suspension could be considered as an effective and potentially safe treatment in leukodermic burn scars. Better results were achieved with dermabrasion for de-epithelialization of the recipient sites compared to Erbium YAG laser. Further studies on larger series of patients are needed to confirm the efficacy of melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure in treating postburn leukoderma.

Keywords

• Burn
• Skin transplantation
• Dermabrasion
• Erbium YAG laser