Autologous Mini Punch Graft in Vitiligo: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Vitiligo is a disease characterized by clear white patches of various shapes and sizes due to fewer melanocytes. The prevalence of vitiligo varies widely worldwide, it was estimated to range from 0.004% to 2.28%. The purpose of vitiligo treatment is to minimize disease progression and re-pigmentation and to achieve cosmetically good results. Autologous mini-punch grafting is a surgical technique used in dermatology and plastic surgery to transplant small pieces of skin from one part of the body to another.
There are several indications for mini-punch grafting, namely in patients with stable vitiligo, facial vitiligo, minor vitiligo, and when non-surgical therapies have failed. So, there are several contraindications for this technique, such as patients with active or progressive vitiligo, patients with a tendency to keloids, patients with a tendency to have hypertrophic scars, vitiligo in large areas, and patients with unstable medical conditions. Cobblestone is the most common of all complications of this technique.
Graft rejection is another complication, especially seen in herpes labialis-induced lip leukoderma. The prognosis of mini-punch grafting results in up to 75% repigmentation in 78% of patients with mini-punch grafting therapy.