Treatment of vitiligo with suction epidermal grafting by the use of an ultrapulse CO2 laser with a computerized pattern generator

BACKGROUND. Laser ablation is used to remove the recipient epidermis in the suction epidermal grafting in vitiligo surgery. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a suction epidermal grafting method after the removal of the epidermis by the use of the Ultrap ulse CO2 laser with a computerized pattern generator. METHODS. Eleven patients with 34 lesions of refractory stable vitiligo were studied. RESULTS. Of the 34 lesion sites, excellent repigmentation was seen in 30 an d the other 4 had good repigmentation. No complications occurred. CONCLUSION. The Ultrapulse CO2 laser is particularly well suited for deepit helialization in vitiligo surgery.