An expert panel consensus on opioid-prescribing guidelines for dermatologic procedures.

BACKGROUND: Opioid overprescribing is a major contributor to the opioid crisis. The lack of procedure-specific guidelines contributes to the vast differences in prescribing practices. OBJECTIVE: To create opioid-prescribing consensus guidelines for common dermatologic procedures. METHODS: We used a 4-step modified Delphi method to conduct a systematic discussion among a panel of dermatologists in the fields of general dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and cosmetics/phlebology to develop opioid prescribing guidelines for some of the most common dermatologic procedural scenarios. Guidelines were developed for opioid-naive patients undergoing routine procedures. Opioid tablets were defined as oxycodone 5-mg oral equivalents. RESULTS: Postoperative pain after most uncomplicated procedures (76%) can be adequately managed with acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen. Group consensus identified no specific dermatologic scenario that routinely requires more than 15 oxycodone 5-mg oral equivalents to manage postoperative pain. Group consensus found that 23% of the procedural scenarios routinely require 1 to 10 opioid tablets, and only 1 routinely requires 1 to 15 opioid tablets. LIMITATIONS: These recommendations are based on expert consensus in lieu of quality evidence-based outcomes research. These recommendations must be individualized to accommodate patients' comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Procedure-specific opioid prescribing guidelines may serve as a foundation to produce effective and responsible postoperative pain management strategies after dermatologic interventions.

Sebaceous carcinoma: evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

Sebaceous carcinoma usually occurs in adults older than 60 years, on the eyelid, head and neck, and trunk. In this Review, we present clinical care recommendations for sebaceous carcinoma, which were developed as a result of an expert panel evaluation of the findings of a systematic review. Key conclusions were drawn and recommendations made for diagnosis, first-line treatment, radiotherapy, and post-treatment care. For diagnosis, we concluded that deep biopsy is often required; furthermore, differential diagnoses that mimic the condition can be excluded with special histological stains. For treatment, the recommended first-line therapy is surgical removal, followed by margin assessment of the peripheral and deep tissue edges; conjunctival mapping biopsies can facilitate surgical planning. Radiotherapy can be considered for cases with nerve or lymph node involvement, and as the primary treatment in patients who are ineligible for surgery. Post-treatment clinical examination should occur every 6 months for at least 3 years. No specific systemic therapies for advanced disease can be recommended, but targeted therapies and immunotherapies are being developed.

Characterization of the facial microbiome in twins discordant for rosacea.

Previously, we determined that genetic and environmental factors contributed equally towards rosacea in twins. To assess an environmental factor, we characterized the malar cheek bacterial microbiome from twins discordant for rosacea. We found no significant difference in facial microbiome alpha and beta diversity between related twins discordant for rosacea. However, the relative percentage abundance of Gordonia and Geobacillus, low-abundant genera, was positively and negatively associated with rosacea severity, respectively. Our data demonstrate a significant correlation between facial microbiome and severity of rosacea in genetically matched twins and importantly that overall microbiome composition is largely unchanged.

New advances in liposuction technology.

Although suction-assisted liposuction under tumescent anesthesia remains the traditional method for body sculpting, newer technologies promise to increase efficiency, decrease surgeon fatigue, and minimize complication. Power-, ultrasound-, and laser-assisted devices are ideal in large volume cases and in areas of fibrous tissues as an adjunct to traditional liposuction. Although skepticism remains chemical lipolysis, more commonly termed mesotherapy or lipodissolve may be an alternative to surgical treatment of localized fat. This article reviews the recent advancements in the field of liposuction and the current literature which support their use.

Sclerotherapy: it is back and better.

With the recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of polidocanol in the United States, there has been a resurgence of interest in sclerotherapy. Despite the popularity of laser therapy, sclerotherapy remains the gold standard for treating spider and reticular veins. Although this traditional method of treatment has been around for more than 100 years, better sclerosing agents and newer techniques have made sclerotherapy safer and more efficacious than ever before. This article is a primer for physicians interested in updating their skills in sclerotherapy. It reviews common sclerosants, sclerotherapy techniques, patient evaluation, complications, and recent advancements in sclerotherapy.

Mohs micrographic surgery for penile cancer: management and long-term followup.

PURPOSE: Mohs micrographic surgery is efficacious for the primary treatment and local recurrence control of nongenital and cutaneous squamous and basal cell cancers. The efficacy of this procedure for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis was reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients treated with Mohs micrographic surgery for penile cancer at our institution from 1988 to 2006. RESULTS: We identified 33 patients who underwent a total of 41 Mohs procedures. Average +/- SD lesion size was 509 +/- 699 mm(2). An average of 2.6 +/- 1.4 stages were done using Mohs micrographic surgery. Five procedures were terminated with positive margins, including 3 due to urethral involvement and 2 due to defect size. Of the tumors 26 were stage Tis, 4 were T1, 7 were T2 and 4 were T3. A total of 13 defects were reconstructed by primary repair or granulation, 4 were reconstructed by skin grafts and 25 were reconstructed by tissue flaps and urethroplasty. Followup data were available on 25 patients at a mean of 58 +/- 63 months. Eight patients (32%) had recurrence, which was managed by repeat Mohs micrographic surgery in 7 and by penectomy in 1. There were 2 cases of tumor progression, including 1 from T1 to T3 disease (meatal involvement) and 1 from T1 to inguinal lymph node involvement. Two patients died, of whom 1 had no evidence of penile cancer and 1 had metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Mohs micrographic surgery for low stage penile cancer results in a relatively high local recurrence rate. However, with repeat procedures and vigilant followup cancer specific and overall survival rates are excellent and progression rates are low.