A Study of the Outcome of Primary Excision and Closure Technique in the Management of Lip Leukoderma in 30 Patients

CONTEXT: Lips being one of the graceful cosmetic units of the face, any disfigurement, including depigmentation, can be embarrassing, psychologically distressing, and socially stigmatizing. Even with the evolution of various surgical modalities, none of the techniques ensure 100% pigmentation with a good cosmetic appearance. With this background, this study was undertaken to study the efficacy of the technique—primary excision and closure in treatment of lip leukoderma (LL). AIMS: To study the efficacy, cosmetic outcome, and recurrence following primary excision and closure technique in the management of LL. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective single-center open-label uncontrolled study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with LL involving inner margin of the lower lip and those who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. After obtaining consent and physician fitness, patients were posted for primary excision and closure of the vitiliginous area of the lip. Patients were followed up at the immediate postoperative period and 6 months later. Patient satisfaction scale was done by asking the patient to grade the response between one and ten. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Mean and percentiles. RESULTS: Out of 30 patients, 29 patients achieved complete clearance that was cosmetically acceptable. Only one patient showed recurrence at the end of 6 months. Average patient satisfaction scale showed an average of 9.66. CONCLUSIONS: Primary excision and closure technique is one of the safe, inexpensive modality in the management of LL involving the inner margin of the lip with immediate result.