GRAFTING OF AUTOLOGOUS-CULTURED EPITHELIUM AFTER EXCISION OF TATTOOS

Nine patients with tattoos were treated with cultured epidermal autografts. The tattoos were excised down to the deep dermal layer, and the wounds were covered with cultured epidermal autografts. The areas grafted with cultured epidermal autografts were an average of 907 cm2 in size. The average percentage ''take'' of the cultured epidermal autografts was 86%. The average time for complete wound epithelialization was 20 days. The pain at the grafted sites was minimal. There was minimal scarring and no tendency for scar contracture. The appearance and elasticity of the grafted sites resembled those of adjacent normal skin 2 1/2 years after grafting. These findings demonstrate that cultured epithelium autografting is a suitable method for coverage of the tangentially excised tattoo wound.