Electrofulguration-assisted dermabrasion is comparable to manual dermabrasion in patients undergoing autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension for treatment of stable vitiligo: A randomized controlled trial

Background Recipient site preparation is a crucial step in non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) as it facilitates proper uptake of the grafted melanocytes. Objectives To compare the repigmentation rate of recipient sites prepared with manual dermabrasion (MD) versus electrofulguration-assisted dermabrasion (EF) in patients undergoing NCES for treatment of stable vitiligo. Methods This was a prospective randomized study including 26 patients of stable vitiligo (VIDA 0 or -1), each having two patches of size greater than 3 x 3 cm located symmetrically or at the same site or a single patch of 6 x 6 cm or larger. After randomization of patches in the given patient, MD and EF were performed on recipient areas followed by NCES. The patients were followed up at 4 weekly intervals up to 24 weeks and assessed for extent of repigmentation and adverse effects if any. Results Greater than 75% repigmentation was observed in 69.3% of the patches prepared by MD as compared to 73.1% patches prepared by EF at the end of 24 weeks (p = 0.791). The mean improvement in target VASI was 64.0% in the MD group as compared to 68.8% in the EF group (p = 0.21). Patches prepared by EF achieved successful repigmentation earlier as compared to patches prepared by MD (9.4 weeks vs 11.4 weeks, p = 0.12). Conclusion Both MD and EF have comparable outcomes with respect to all parameters.