Transverse Needling After Autologous Mini-Punch Grafts Improves Repigmentation in Stable Non-Segmental Vitiligo

Figures & data

Table 1 AOR and Extent of Repigmentation Among Treatment Groups

Variable	Line-1	Line-2	Line-3	Line-4	P-value	Power
AOR (days)					Fr =16.6 p<0.001*	80.8%
Mean (SD)	31.1 (10.3)	48.1 (20.5)	28.9 (9.3)	60.3 (21.9)
P values	P1= 0.003** P2 = 0.001** P3= 0.01**
Percent pigmentation (0–6 months)					Fr = 30.8 P<0.001*	99.6%
Median (range)	38.5 (1–85)	33.4 (0–77)	49.6 (4–97.2)	5.5 (0–70)
P values	P1=0.009** P2=0.21** P3<0.001**

Notes: *Results≤ 0.05 are significant by related samples Friedman’s two-way analysis of variance by ranks. **Results≤ 0.05 are significant in adjusted pairwise comparisons by Bonferroni test. P1, P2, P3 = significance of difference between lines 1, 2, 3 respectively and control. Other pairwise comparison between groups are not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; AOR, appearance of repigmentation.

Figure 1 Changes in the lesional median surface area from baseline to 3 and 6 -months, for the treatment groups.

Table 2 Cosmetic Matching Among the Four Lines of Treatment

Cosmetic Matching	Line-1		Line-2		Line-3		Line-4
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Fair	3	15.8	2	13.4	2	11.1	4	36.4
Good	7	36.8	8	53.3	6	33.3	5	45.4
Excellent	9	47.4	5	33.3	10	55.6	2	18.2
P value	^#MCp= 0.380

Note: ^#Monte Carlo level of significance.

Figure 2 Vitiligo vulgaris lesion on nape of the neck treated by mini-punch grafts. (A) Baseline surface area of 7.3 cm². (B): 47.9% Repigmentation after 6 months.

Figure 3 Vitiliginous lesion on left wrist treated with needling (A) initial surface area of 10.2 cm². (B) 22.5% Repigmentation after 3 months, with partial marginal hyperpigmentation. (C) 51% Repigmentation at 6 months.

Figure 4 Trunkal vitiligo lesion treated with mini-punch grafts followed by transverse needling sessions. (A) Baseline surface area of 7.9 cm². (B) 88.6% Repigmentation after 3 months. (C) 91.1% Repigmentation after 6 months with excellent color match.

Figure 5 Loss of graft pigment due to lesional activity. (A) Baseline right-hand dorsum vitiligo lesion. (B) Perigraft pigmentation with good marginal definition at 12 weeks after mini-punch grafts followed by needling sessions. (C) Loss of pigmentation at and around the implanted grafts at 18 weeks indicating activity.