Surg Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;17(2):1-5
INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a dermatological condition that causes loss of skin pigmentation, significantly affecting patients' quality of life due to social stigma. Despite various therapeutic approaches, including topical treatments, systemic therapies, and phototherapy, many cases remain refractory.
OBJECTIVE: To report a series of cases to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous melanocyte grafting using the micropunch technique.
METHODS AND RESULTS: We selected 9 patients with stable and refractory vitiligo, totaling 15 surgeries. Of these, 93.3% showed some degree of repigmentation in the treated area, with the formation of a pigmentation halo around the grafts, as observed in post-surgical photographic follow-up. The inner arm was the most frequently used donor area (60%). The complications were minimal: 1 patient (6.7%) developed hypertrophic scarring in the donor area; 3 patients (20%) developed the "cobblestone appearance" in the recipient area, with 1 case resolving spontaneously after 6 months. There was also partial graft loss in 1 patient (6.7% of surgeries).
CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the micropunch technique is a viable and safe alternative for managing stable vitiligo, offering a new therapeutic option for cases refractory to conventional treatments.
Keywords: Vitiligo; Transplantation, Autologous; Skin Pigmentation.