Skin grafting is the transfer of normal, pigmented skin from one area
of the patient's body (donor sites) to an area of Vitiligo. The normal
skin's healthy melanocytes can then lead to partial repigmentation in
white spots as early as 4 to 6 weeks after grafting.

There are two major types of skin grafting techniques:

  1. Autologous Skin Grafts - Small areas of unaffected skin (about 2mm) are transferred using the punch graft method to affected areas of skin.
    • Punch Graft Method - Donor skin is taken from the buttock, thigh, or leg with a 4mm skin bipsy punch and is placed on the recipient area prepared by removing the Vitiliginous skin with a 3mm skin biopsy punch.
  2. Epidermal Skin Grafts - Basically the same procedure as Autologous skin grafts, except for the process of recieving donor skin. Donor skin is acquired through suction blisters. This procedure has a smaller risk of scarring.
    • Suction Blister Method - Blisters are created on the patient's pigmented skin by using heat, suction, or freezing cold. The tops of blisters are then cut out and transplanted to Vitiligo-affected areas.
Both techniques may lead to the development of a "cobblestone" appearance or spotty pigmentation.
Skin grafting is only available in certain areas of the country and is useful for only a small group of Vitiligo patients. It is an option for patients with small, stable patches of Vitiligo or for patients with new and recent patches. Pigment tends to spread faster in lesions situated on the trunk, neck, face, and proximal parts of the extremities. In contrast, pigment spreads slower in lesions on the dorsal aspects of hands, fingers, feet and malleoli (the round bone protrusions on either side of the ankle).
Side Effects:
  • Infections at donor or recipient sites
  • Scarring
  • Uneven appearance or "cobblestone" effect
  • Lack of repigmentation (though repigmentation happens 90% of the time)

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