Ready-to-use lip splint for post-operative dressing in blister grafting of vitiligo

Harish Prasad B.R.; Karalikkattil T Ashique

doi:10.25259/IJDVL_159_2022

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Pearls

89 (

3

); 496-496

doi:

10.25259/IJDVL_159_2022

pmid:

35962498

Ready-to-use lip splint for post-operative dressing in blister grafting of vitiligo

Harish Prasad B.R., Karalikkattil T Ashique^1,

Department of Dermatology, Vitals Klinic, Bengaluru, India

1Department of Dermatology, Amanza Skin Clinic, Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India

Corresponding author: Dr. Karalikkattil T Ashique, Medical Director & Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, Amanza Skin Clinic, Perintalmanna, Kerala, India. ashique@amanzadermatology.in

Received: 2022-02-01, Accepted: 2022-04-01, Epub ahead of print: 2022-07-29, Published: 2023-04

Licence

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, transform, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

How to cite this article: B.R. HP, Ashique KT. Ready-to-use lip splint for post-operative dressing in blister grafting of vitiligo. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2023;89:496.

Problem

Suction blister grafting is one of the most ideal surgical approaches to treat stable vitiligo of the lips.¹ Retaining the intact graft over recipient area in immediate post-operative period is crucial for best results. The lip is a difficult site to retain both the graft and dressing, due to the inherent anatomical nature of this area.Additionally, movement during cleaning, talking and eating further complicates this.

Solution

We have been using an easily available mechanism to aid the retention of both graft and dressing over lips in the post-operative period. The removable plastic lock [Figure 1] that comes with pump type dispensing bottles of moisturisers and/or body washes works as a perfect splint to grip the dressing on lips without much compression. These are cheap, readily available and ethyleneoxide (ETO) sterilisable. It reminds the patients not to move their lips [Figure 2]. In patients with orthodontic braces worn on their dentition, this helps to keep the lips and dressing away and prevents them from getting entangled in the metallic parts. We suggest the use of this lip splint after other surgical procedures and local dressing in areas requiring immobilisation.

The plastic lock that comes with commercially available medical and non-medical lotions. The elevated part on the outer rim is ground to give a smooth feel when placed on the lip.

The mechanism in place. Lower lip blister graft dressing is done and the dressing is retained with the plastic device.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

Ashique KT, Kaliyadan F. A long-term follow-up and donor site changes evaluation in suction blister epidermal grafting done for stable vitiligo: A retrospective study. Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60:369-72.
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