Heal House Vitiligo Research 52 · Original Article
Can an unexpected burn occur during vitiligo surgery (suction blister transplantation)?
A Case of Low-Temperature Full-Thickness Burn after Suction Blister Harvesting in a Patient with Vitiligo
In short
A rare case of deep burn caused by a non-hot temperature during the suction blister harvesting process used in vitiligo graft surgery has been reported.
For those with stable vitiligo, surgery to transplant a thin layer of normal skin may be performed. Among these methods, 'suction blister harvesting' involves gently warming the skin and then applying negative pressure to create a blister, from which a thin skin layer is obtained. This is generally considered relatively safe. However, in this case, which I supervised as the corresponding author, a deeper-than-expected 'low-temperature burn' occurred even at a not very high temperature. Although this is uncommon, we summarized and reported this case to raise awareness among those performing the same procedure.
Q1 What Is a Low-Temperature Burn and Why Should You Be Careful?
A low-temperature burn refers to a burn that damages deep layers of the skin when heat, even at a low temperature that does not feel hot, is applied for a prolonged period. When creating a suction blister, the skin is warmed while negative pressure is maintained for an extended time. In this process, the combination of heat and pressure can cause damage to deeper layers, contrary to the surface appearance. This case was a rare instance where the damage extended beyond the thin skin layer to the full thickness of the skin. It shows that complacency—thinking 'the temperature is low, so it will be fine'—can be dangerous. Therefore, it is important to carefully control the procedure temperature and time, and to frequently check the skin condition during the procedure. Vitiligo surgery is generally safe, but being aware of and prepared for such rare issues can make treatment safer.
Closing remarks
Although it is not common, documenting these rare issues serves as a practical warning for fellow Dermatologists performing the same procedure. As the corresponding author, I wanted to share that even procedures considered safe can have moments that require vigilance. I believe that honestly reporting even a single case ultimately contributes to the safety of future patients.
