Surgical pearl: Fine gauze is a useful carrier for epidermal graft in the treatment of vitiligo by means of the suction blister method

Conventional treatments of vitiligo include topical steroids and PUVA, which necessitate prolonged application and frequent clinic visits; response to such treatments also varies. During the past few years, we have used autologous suction-blister-derived epidermal grafts in more than 150 patients with stable localized vitiligo who did not respond to topical steroids and PUVA. Up to now results are promising. In this method, spreading of the epidermal graft to its maximum size and its accurate transferral onto the recipient area are important steps. However, the graft produced by this method is so thin and soft that it wrinkles and curls frequently, making spreading;md transportation to the recipient site cumbersome. In our experience with more than 700 grafts, we found that the use of plain fine gauze makes harvesting and transportation of donor grafts technically simple and effective.