Treatment of post-burn leucoderma with non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation (MKTP)

Introduction

Deep burns often result in hypo-pigmentation, referred to as leucoderma which has a similar psychosocial impact on the patients as that of vitiligo. Several tissue grafting methods have been reported to treat post-burn leucoderma.

Methods

A simple method consisting of harvesting a donor skin sample, preparation of an epidermal cell suspension and the transplantation of the cell suspension on to a dermabraded recipient area, was performed in a clean procedure room. No special laboratory set-up was used for the cell separation procedure. Patients were treated with 18 sessions of excimer laser starting 1 month post-operatively, to hasten the repigmentation.

Observation

Of the 10 patients treated with MKTP, 3 were lost to follow-up. The remaining 7 patients showed repigmentation ranging from 90% to 100% with good color matching.

Conclusion

MKTP is an effective method to treat post-burn leucoderma. No special precautions are required to treat any anatomical site or uneven scarred surface.