Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes skin patches to lose color; irregular white spots or patches appear on the skin. Despite being non-life-threatening, vitiligo can have a significant impact on self-esteem and quality of life. For those seeking to restore the natural color of their skin, vitiligo surgery may be an option. Here, we explore different types of vitiligo surgeries and the operations involved.
What is Vitiligo Surgery?
Vitiligo surgery refers to several surgical techniques to restore the normal color of the skin in areas affected by the disease. These procedures involve transplanting healthy melanocytes (skin pigment-producing cells) from unaffected body parts into depigmented patches.
Types of Vitiligo Surgeries
1. Skin Grafting
This is one of many common vitiligo surgeries where small portions of healthy pigmented skin are removed from unaffected sites (usually the thigh or buttock) and transplanted onto a depigmented patch.
There are two main types of ways to do this:
Punch grafting: It is where small circular grafts are removed from the donor area and then transplanted onto the recipient site.
Split-thickness grafting: A thin layer comprising skin gets taken from the donor area before being transplanted over the recipient site.
2. Cellular Suspension
In this procedure, a small sample that contains pigmented skin gets taken out of the donating area and then processed within the laboratory for separation purposes, with melanocytes later suspended using a solution before injecting into areas lacking pigment.
3. Blister Grafting
Blisters will be created on pigmented skins by either suction or heat during blister grafting. This is less invasive than others because it involves only creating blisters but not removing them completely, as tops containing melanocytes get transplanted over depigmented patches.
4. Micropigmentation (tattooing)
Micropigmentation, also called medical tattooing, entails implanting pigment into depigmented patches through a specialized tattooing technique; this method can serve as a cosmetic solution for smaller patches, although it may require periodic touch-ups since pigment tends to fade with time.
The Surgical Process
Before undergoing any vitiligo surgery, patients will usually consult with their dermatologists or plastic surgeons, discussing objectives, medical history, and the procedure best suited for their case.
Typically, the surgical process includes:
Preparation: cleaning and sterilizing both recipient and donor areas before numbing them using local anesthesia.
Harvesting: selectively picking either healthy skin or cells from the donor area through punch grafting, blister grafting, or cellular suspension transfers, respectively.
Transplantation: Using specialized surgical instruments and techniques to place harvested skin or cells onto depigmented patches.
Dressing and Care: Dressings or ointments designed specifically are used on treated sites, and post-operative care instructions are provided to enhance healing. At the same time, the risks associated with complications are reduced among patients.
Recovery and Results
Recovery periods after vitiligo surgeries can differ based on procedures performed and treated site sizes. There might be some discomfort experienced by patients around treated regions, which could last a few days up to weeks and be accompanied by swelling or redness before subsiding.
It is necessary to know that vitiligo surgery does not give instant results. Transplanted melanocytes might take a few months to settle and make pigment in the treated parts. Also, re-pigmentation can be patchy, with certain areas responding more favorably than others.
If you want the best vitiligo surgery in Jayanagar or Bangalore, you are fortunate to be in possession of a handful of experienced and renowned dermatologists and plastic surgeons in the area. These medical experts specialize in today’s vitiligo surgical techniques and can design a personalized treatment plan for you.
