Background: Vitiligo is an acquired, hypomelanotic disorder characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules in the skin resulting from the loss of functional melanocytes from the cutaneous epidermis. It also causes significant psychological and social distress.

Aims and Objectives: To compare the efficacy of follicular unit extraction and non cultured melanocyte transfer in patients of stable vitiligo with respect to repigmentation, vitiligo noticeability and global treatment success.

Material and Methods: A total of 15 patients with stable vitiligo (as per IADVL guidelines) were enrolled in the study. In the same patient follicular unit extraction (FUE) was done in the vitiliginous lesions and the hair was transplanted approximately 3–5 mm apart on the left side of the body, while another vitiliginous lesion in the same patient was selected for non cultured melanocyte transfer(NCMT) which was done on the dermabraded area on the right side of the body. These patients were followed–up for a period of 6 months, initially at every 2 weeks or till first signs of repigmentation, then monthly follow–ups for two times and then followed–up in every 2 months. Visual analogue scale was used for assessment of repigmentation, VNS scale was used to evaluate vitiligo noticeability and global treatment success was calculated.

Results:There were 2 (13.3%) females and 13 (86.7%) males in our study, showing a male preponderance. Majority of the patients were in the age group 21–40 years (66.7%). There was statistically significant increase in the mean pigmentation at each follow–up in comparison to the earlier follow–up in both the groups (p<0.05). The mean pigmentation and mean pigmentation difference, between the two groups was also comparable (p>0.05). Excellent pigmentation was seen in 60% patients of FUE and 73.3% patients of the NCMT group. Vitiligo was ‘not noticeable’ in 33.3% patients of FUE and 40.0% patients of NCMT group. Global treatment success was 80% in both the groups. Bony prominence, greying and loss of follicles in FUE group; and graft displacement and herpes zoster in NCMT group were the factors responsible for low pigmentation.

Conclusion: From the above study, we conclude that repigmentation was seen in both the groups, with equal efficacy seen between the two methodologies. Thus, any method can be applied for repigmentation with due considerations to complications of each method used.