OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of less invasive recipient-site preparations.
METHODS: In a randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial we compared different recipient-site preparations before cell suspension transplantation in segmental vitiligo and piebaldism. In each patient, we randomly allocated three CO2 laser recipient-site preparations (209 and 144 μm full surface, and fractional) and a control (no treatment) to four depigmentations. After 6 months we assessed repigmentation and side-effects.
RESULTS: We included 10 patients with vitiligo (n = 3) and piebaldism (n = 7). Compared with the control site, we found more repigmentation after full surface ablation at 209 μm (median 68·7%, P = 0·01) and 144 μm (median 58·3%, P = 0·007), but no repigmentation after fractional ablation (median 0·0%, P = 0·14).
CONCLUSIONS: Superficial full surface ablation with a depth of 144 μm is an effective recipient-site preparation before cell suspension transplantation, while fractional CO2 laser is not.