Deepithelialization prior to onlay grafting using the UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser

When used in a defocused mode, the UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser causes s kin vaporization at a subepidermal level with minimal surrounding thermal d estruction, allowing early reepithelialization from retained skin appendage s. This attribute is of paramount importance if only skin resurfacing is de sired. However, because the effect essentially is total removal of the epid ermis, such a sequela can also be used advantageously to prepare a vascular ized dermal bed prior to onlay of composite grafts or secondary overgraftin g, This skin deepithelialization can be achieved in a bloodless field, perm itting constant visualization of the depth of penetration, and an integrate d computerized pattern generator scanner allows rapid, precise, and consist ent desurfacing to the desired level. This preliminary investigation demons trates that successful overgrafting is possible on a viable dermal plane ex posed by the UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser, as another example of its rol e in skin deepithelialization.