Recently, autologous epidermal graft using suction-blister has been used in the
treatment of depigmented discases. the suction-blister is produced by separation of epidermis
from dermis by negative pressure, and the separated epidermis is a good source for studying
the properties of the epidermis itself.
In this study, we measured the pre-expanded control diameter and post-expanded diameter
induced by negative pressure in the anterior chest and abdomen of patients and calculated the
expansibility of epidermis from the measurements, and studied the morphological changes of
the expanded epidermis using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron
microscope.
As a result, the diameter of epidermis was elongated 46.4%, from a mean of 7.6mm to
11.0mm and the calculated area was expanded 115.0%, from a mean of 45.0mm2 to 95.9mm2
by suction. Both were statistically significant(p<0.05). And morphologically, the thickness of
epidermis was markedlydecreased and the basal keratinocytes, their nuclei and intercellular
bridges were elongated parallel to the skin surface, and paranuclear vacuolization was
observed in keratinocytes and melanocytes.
In conclusion, above results are helpful in understanding the physical property and structure
of epidermis and can be used for estimating the exact size of the donor skin needed for
epidermal graft.
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