Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery: Is There a Need for Standardization? Results of a Nationwide Survey.

Introduction: The NABON Breast Cancer Audit showed that more than 70% of the Dutch women undergoing surgery for breast cancer maintained their breast contour by breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or by immediate reconstruction after ablative surgery. The proportion of oncoplastic surgery applied in patients undergoing breast-conserving treatment remains unknown. The aim of our study was to assess the need for standardization of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OPBCS) in an attempt to enable measurement of the quality of OPBCS. Methods: To gain a better understanding of current practice in OPBCS, we sent a questionnaire to all breast surgeons in The Netherlands who are members of the breast surgery working group (n = 134). Results: A total of 60 breast surgeons, representing different hospitals in The Netherlands, responded. 61.7% of the breast surgeons performed BCS on 60-100% of their patients. 68.3% responded that BCS was performed using OPS techniques in up to 40% of their patients. OPBCS was defined as level I volume displacement by 45.2% of the breast surgeons and as BCS performed by a breast surgeon and plastic surgeon together by 32.3% of the breast surgeons. 94.5% indicated that there is a need for standardization of the definition of OPBCS in The Netherlands. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that OPBCS is a major part of daily clinical practice of Dutch breast surgeons treating BC patients. Despite this, there is no clear definition of OPS in breast-conserving treatment in The Netherlands. Only after standardization can a classification code and quality indicator be initiated for OPBCS. Ultimately, this will facilitate improvement in quality of BC care.

Accidental discovery of metastasized basal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Metastasis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a very rare finding because the disease is mostly discovered early in development and treated immediately. Moreover, the metastasis percentage is less than 0.5%. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 66-year-old man presented to the emergency department after a fall from his bike. He sustained fractures, and a 40-year-old skin lesion was discovered on his back. Histological analysis of a biopsy from the primary lesion, a CT scan, and bone biopsy were performed. RESULTS: The three tests combined confirmed BCC with metastasis to the liver, lung, and bone. We also systematically eliminated the possibility of other skin lesions, such as squamous cell carcinoma, angiosarcoma, cutaneous lymphoma, and melanoma. CONCLUSION: We report an accidental discovery of a rare case of a 40-year-old BCC with multiple distant metastases, resulting in stage IV disease.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and severity of acute appendicitis: a comparison between 2019 and 2020.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in the number of patients presenting with acute appendicitis was observed. It is unclear whether this caused a shift towards more complicated cases of acute appendicitis. We compared a cohort of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic with a 2019 control cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively included consecutive adult patients in 21 hospitals presenting with acute appendicitis in a COVID-19 pandemic cohort (March 15 - April 30, 2020) and a control cohort (March 15 - April 30, 2019). Primary outcome was the proportion of complicated appendicitis. Secondary outcomes included prehospital delay, appendicitis severity, and postoperative complication rates. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic cohort comprised 607 patients vs. 642 patients in the control cohort. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher proportion of complicated appendicitis was seen (46.9% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.003). More patients had symptoms exceeding 24 h (61.1% vs. 56.2%, respectively, p = 0.048). After correction for prehospital delay, presentation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was still associated with a higher rate of complicated appendicitis. Patients presenting > 24 h after onset of symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic were older (median 45 vs. 37 years; p = 0.001) and had more postoperative complications (15.3% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of acute appendicitis was slightly lower during the first wave of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, more patients presented with a delay and with complicated appendicitis than in a corresponding period in 2019. Spontaneous resolution of mild appendicitis may have contributed to the increased proportion of patients with complicated appendicitis. Late presenting patients were older and experienced more postoperative complications compared to the control cohort.

[Interdigital pilonidal sinus of the foot: a peculiar place for a common lesion]. / Interdigitale sinus pilonidalis van de voet.

BACKGROUND: Besides the natal cleft, a pilonidal sinus can also occur in other areas of the body. An uncommon place is the interdigital web space of the toes. A sinus can arise due to penetration of the skin by a hair. The only curative treatment is surgical excision. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 55-year-old man was referred by the GP with an inflammation between his toes. On physical examination we saw a skin defect with hairs and granulation tissue between the fourth and fifth toes of the right foot. It was decided to surgically excise the affected area. Histopathological examination showed a chronical, fibrosing inflammation surrounding a free hair structure, consistent with a pilonidal sinus. The lesion was probably caused by dog hairs, in combination with poor personal hygiene. CONCLUSION: This patient had a pilonidal sinus at an uncommon site. In the event of poorly-understood inflammation between the toes, a pilonidal sinus should be considered.

Prospective evaluation of the added value of imaging within the Dutch National Diagnostic Appendicitis Guideline--do we forget our clinical eye?

BACKGROUND: Annually 16,000 appendectomies are performed in the Netherlands, of which 15-20% are negative. In 2010, to reduce this unacceptable percentage of superfluous appendectomies, the Dutch Association for Surgery introduced the 'Appendicitis Guideline'. This guideline recommends the use of imaging. In this observational prospective study the added value of imaging in everyday clinical practice is evaluated. METHODS: All patients with suspected appendicitis were included at the emergency department of a Dutch teaching hospital during the period from September 2011 to May 2012 (n = 350; 237 adults and 113 children under 18 years). Adherence to the guideline was evaluated. RESULTS: 75 Patients (21%) were not referred for imaging because of a low suspicion or alternative diagnosis. In 16 patients (5%) the guideline was not followed. Of the 259 patients (74%) who underwent ultrasonography, 105 (30%) also underwent computed tomography (CT). 127 appendectomies were performed, showing appendicitis in 112 patients (88%); 15 appendectomies (12%) were negative. In the latter group, 12 were performed after false positive imaging results, and 3 following inconclusive imaging results. CONCLUSION: When using imaging in the diagnosis of appendicitis, the percentage of negative appendectomies remains close to the percentage declared as unacceptable by the publishers of the guideline.

[Hypovolaemic shock several days after rib fractures]. / Hypovolemische shock enkele dagen na ribfracturen.

BACKGROUND: A quarter of all patients with rib fractures develop a haemothorax. A haemothorax usually occurs immediately following trauma, but it can also occur with considerable delay. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe two patients, aged 58 and 51 years, who each had sustained thoracic trauma. After the initial assessment and additional diagnostic testing, the patients were admitted to hospital. On the 4th and 8th day after the trauma, respectively, they developed hypovolaemic shock resulting from a haemothorax. Both patients had multiple rib fractures. CONCLUSION: A delayed haemothorax is rare but in cases of hypovolaemic shock, this dangerous complication of rib fractures should be ruled out.