Background and Aim: Vitiligo is an skin condition that results in the skin depigmentation. The implementation of a basal cell layer suspension is a novel treatment in cases with recalcitrant vitiligo. In this study, the efficacy of topical calcipotriol on the implementation site with basal cell layer suspension versus basal cell layer suspension application alone was compared.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 20 patients with recalcitrant vitiligo were randomly allocated in two 10-patient groups, undergoing the implementation of basal cell layer suspension alone (controls) or along with daily application of topical calcipotriol (intervention group). Results and possible complications were compared between the two groups 6 months after initiation of the treatment.

Results: Six months after initiation of the study, 2 patients (20%) in the control group had poor responses, and 8 patients (80%) had moderate/good responses. In the intervention group, 1 patient (10%) showed poor response, and 9 patients (90%) showed moderate/good responses (P>0.05). Complications were trivial and self-limiting.

Conclusion: Although topical application of calcipotriol did not signigicantly change the primary outcome of the study, it was associated with better results and no major side effects.