title: Comparison of two surgical approaches for treating vitiligo: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical techniques have recently been introduced for patients with vitiligo. Randomized controlled trials have not been performed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and side-effects of two surgical methods (suction blister vs. thin split-thickness graft technique) for the treatment of vitiligo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three suction blisters, approximately 0.8 cm in diameter, made with a special tool attached to a vacuum extractor, which were converted to erosions by removal of the roofs of the bullae, and one round erosion of approximately the same diameter, made using a silver knife, were created. One roof of a blister and two cutaneous thin split-thickness grafts taken from the gluteal region were transferred onto recipient vitiliginous areas; one was left alone. The results were evaluated by one non-blind and two blind observers bimonthly during the 3-month follow-up period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repigmentation rates were 25-65% in the suction blister technique and 90% in the thin split-thickness graft technique (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The thin split-thickness graft technique is superior to the suction blister technique in treating vitiligo.
authors: Departments of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 80200 Turkey. mustafaozdemir@yahoo.com
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Ozdemir
authors: Oğuz
authors: O
authors: Cetinkale
authors: Ronni
authors: R
authors: Wolf
authors: Agop
authors: A
authors: Kotoğyan
authors: Cem
authors: C
authors: Mat
authors: Binnur
authors: B
authors: Tüzün
authors: Yalçin
authors: Y
authors: Tüzün
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000601:surgery*