Comparison between the efficacy of microneedling combined with 5-fluorouracil vs microneedling with tacrolimus in the treatment of vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Several treatment modalities had been used for the treatment of vitiligo, but the optimal treatment has not yet been identified.

OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy of microneedling with 5-flurouracil vs its efficacy with tacrolimus in the treatment of vitiligo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with vitiligo were subjected to microneedling of 2 patches of vitiligo with dermapen, then application of 5-fluorouracil to 1 patch and tacrolimus on the other patch. This procedure was repeated every 2 weeks for every patient for maximum 6 months (12 sessions). The patients were followed up for 3 months after the last session.

RESULTS: The overall repigmentation was significantly higher in 5-fluorouracil-treated patches compared with tacrolimus. Excellent improvement occurred in 48% of 5- flurouracil-treated patches while only in 16% of tacrolimus-treated patches. In the acral parts, 40% of the patches treated with 5-fluorouracil achieved excellent improvement (repigmentation >75%), while no patch in the acral parts achieved excellent improvement with tacrolimus. However, there was significant difference between the 2 drugs,regarding inflammation, ulceration, and hyperpigmentation which occurred with 5-fluorouracil.

CONCLUSION: Microneedling combined with 5-fluorouracil or tacrolimus is safe and effective treatment of vitiligo. However, 5-fluorouracil achieved a greater percentage of repigmentation than tacrolimus particularly in the acral parts.