Treatment of Vitiligo with Suction Epidermal Grafting by the Use of an Ultrapulse CO2 Laser with a Computerized Pattern Generator

BACKGROUNDLaser ablation is used to remove the recipient epidermis in the suction epidermal grafting in vitiligo surgery. OBJECTIVETo 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. METHODSEleven patients with 34 lesions of refractory stable vitiligo were studied. RESULTSOf the 34 lesion sites, excellent repigmentation was seen in 30 and the other 4 had good repigmentation. No complications occurred. CONCLUSIONThe Ultrapulse CO2 laser is particularly well suited for deepithelialization in vitiligo surgery.