Reliable site for suction blister induction and harvesting.
BACKGROUND
Suction blister grafting is a useful modality of treatment of patients with resistant and stable vitiligo. However, there have been no detailed studies to find out the best donor site for blister formation.


METHODS
The study was conducted between the period of October 2004 and February 2005 in the dermatology department at a tertiary care center. Nine patients with vitiligo (focal vitiligo, 3; mucosal vitiligo, 2; acrofacial vitiligo, 2; vitiligo vulgaris, 1; and segmental vitiligo, 1) were selected for blister harvesting and grafting. The blisters were raised using the method described by Gupta et al.


RESULTS
Suction blisters were attempted to be raised at 52 sites, but only 38 blisters could be raised, 24 complete and 14 incomplete. Blisters were raised in all the three cases on the flexor aspect of the arm (100%), 15 of 17 cases (88.2%) on the flexor aspect of the forearm, 4 of 5 cases (80%) on the abdomen, 11 of 16 cases (68.7%) on the anterolateral thigh, and less frequently over leg or foot. Complete blisters were formed in 13/15 cases (86.6%) on the flexor aspect of the forearm, 6/11 cases (54.5%) on the anterolateral thigh, and in all cases over leg.


CONCLUSIONS
The flexor aspect of the forearm is a good site for suction blister harvesting.
Laxmisha
Chandrashekar
C
Department of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India.
Thappa
Devinder Mohan
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004817:Epidermis / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013396:Suction; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000601:surgery*