Skin deepithelialization using the carbon dioxide laser.

Skin deepithelialization is an integral part of many reconstructive procedures, but it can be a tedious and time-consuming ordeal when using conventional techniques. The carbon dioxide laser has been used in rats to facilitate skin deepithelialization with no adverse effect on the expected wound healing. These findings have been extrapolated for clinical applications in allowing rapid creation of the dermal pedicle required for mammaplasty.