Abstract

ALMODOVAR REAL, A et al. Isolation, culture and clinical application of human melanocytes: Melanocytes as a source of cell therapy. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2014, vol.95, n.2, pp.01-04. ISSN 1851-300X.

Vitiligo is an idiopathic and acquired disorder that affects the pigmentation of the skin due to several factors that cause the destruction of melanocytes.  There are numerous therapeutic alternatives, topical treatments, PUVA or narrowband UVB phototherapy. However, many patients do not respond to these medical treatments. Surgical treatment of vitiligo is indicated when depigmented macules are located in poorly responsive or after failure of conventional treatments. It seeks to encourage repigmentation of lesions by transplantation of melanocytes from normal pigmented areas. The objective of this review is to analyze surgical treatment of vitiligo and especially autologous melanocyte transplantation.

Keywords : Vitiligo; Melanocytes transplantation; Surgical treatment; Cellular grafting; Autologous cultures.