Treatment of vitiligo with suction epidermal grafting by the use of an ultrapulse CO2 laser with a computerized pattern generator.

BACKGROUND

Laser ablation is used to remove the recipient epidermis in the suction epidermal grafting in vitiligo surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a suction epidermal grafting method after the removal of the epidermis by the use of the Ultrapulse CO2 laser with a computerized pattern generator.

METHODS

Eleven patients with 34 lesions of refractory stable vitiligo were studied.

RESULTS

Of the 34 lesion sites, excellent repigmentation was seen in 30 and the other 4 had good repigmentation. No complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

The Ultrapulse CO2 laser is particularly well suited for deepithelialization in vitiligo surgery.