Dermatologic surgery: pulsed erbium:YAG laser-assisted autologous epidermal punch grafting in vitiligo.

BACKGROUND

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulsed erbium:YAG laser ablation of autologous minipunch grafted sites for the treatment of refractory or stable vitiligo.

METHODS

Thirteen patients, seven men and six women, aged between 19 and 58 years, with Fitzpatrick skin types ranging from type IV to VI, were grafted. The pulsed erbium: YAG laser was used to create recipient graft sites.

RESULTS

Repigmentation was observed in 12 out of 13 patients. Failure of grafts to repigment ranged from 3% to 100%. No untoward side-effects of surgery were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Using an erbium:YAG laser to create graft recipient sites permits the survival of punch harvested grafts and the spread of pigmentation to the surrounding skin.