Background

Treatment of vitiligo represents a highly therapeutic challenge in spite of the continuous development of new modalities. Combination therapies of vitiligo can help improve treatment response, and reduce recurrence potential.

Objective

To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of microneedling combined with 5-fluorouracil, pimecrolimus, and TCA in the treatment of localized, stable vitiligo.

Methods

The study included 75 patients with non-segmental, stable vitiligo who were randomly assigned to three equal groups: group 1 received a combination of microneedling and 5-FU, group 2 received microneedling and pimecrolimus, and group 3 received microneedling and TCA. The procedure was done every 2 weeks for a maximum of 6 sessions.

Results

Combined microneedling and TCA was associated with the highest degree of repigmentation followed by combined microneedling + 5-fluorouracil, and lastly combined microneedling + pimecrolimus. The difference between the three groups was statistically significant in favor of the combined microneedling and TCA. Pain, erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, infection, and scarring were variably reported adverse effects in the 3 groups.

Conclusion

Combination therapy seems to be a promising modality for the treatment of vitiligo. Combined microneedling and TCA is superior to combined microneedling with either 5-fluorouracil or pimecrolimus.