Comparative outcomes of autologous cultured melanocytes transplantation and non-cultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation in piebaldism patients: A retrospective study

PurposeTo compare the efficacy and safety of autologous cultured melanocytes transplantation (CMT) and non-cultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation (NCES) in the treatment of piebaldism.Patients and methodsA retrospective study was conducted on 30 anatomically based lesions from nine piebaldism patients who underwent either CMT (n = 7) or NCES (n = 23) between 2018 and 2020. The extent of repigmentation and colour matching was evaluated in all recipient sites using a digital imaging analysis system. In addition, adverse effects have also been assessed by follow-up results.ResultsMore than 75% repigmentation was achieved in 100% (7/7) and 60.9% (14/23) of the 30 lesions with the CMT and NCES, respectively. There were significant differences between the two methods in terms of repigmentation. The majority of patients had colour mismatches, and there was no discernible difference between the two surgical techniques. Adverse reactions rarely occurred.ConclusionThe present study suggested that autologous CMT may provide better repigmentation in piebaldism patients than NCES with no significant side effects.