Suction blister epidermal grafts combined with CO2 laser superficial ablation as a good method for treating small-sized vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Despite the availability of various new methods to treat vitiligo, surgical methods offer rapid, simple, and safe ways for treating small-sized vitiligo.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy in treating vitiligo using suction blister epidermal grafting (SBEG) combined with CO2 laser epidermal ablation.


METHODS
Forty patients with small, stable vitiligo were treated using SBEG combined with CO2 laser epidermal ablation and followed up for at least 6 months and up to 10 years.


RESULTS
Treatment outcomes were excellent for 32 patients (80%), good for four patients (10%), fair for three patients (7.5%), and poor for one patient (2.5%). No scar formation was observed in any patients. Location of the lesions was probably the most important factor in determining the outcomes of transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that SBEG combined with CO2 laser ablation is a rapid, simple, and safe method to treat vitiligo, especially for patients with small and stable vitiliginous lesions.
Ko
Wang-Cheng
WC
Department of Dermatology, Show-Chwan Memorial Hospital, Chang-Hua, Taiwan.
Chen
Yu-Fu
YF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister; D002648:Child; D004817:Epidermis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult