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.

CONCLUSION: 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.