RESUMO
Background: Surgeons face challenges associated with adherent cutaneous scalp malignancy. Traditional general anesthetic excision involves periosteal removal and burring of the outer table of the calvaria for deep margin clarity and tissue reconstruction. Research on this practice is limited, and graft survival in burr-treated bones is underexplored. This study aimed to assess the clinical margin accuracy for immobile scalp malignancies, identify deep-invading malignancy types, and evaluate graft survival in burr-treated calvariae. It compares split-thickness grafts (STSGs) and full-thickness grafts (FTSGs). Methods: Twelve fixed scalp malignancies were excised under anesthesia, allowing immediate STSG or FTSG for defect reconstruction. Postsurgery, graft take, malignancy type, and margin clearance were evaluated. Results: Histopathological diagnosis identified seven squamous cell carcinomas, two melanomas, one basal cell carcinoma, one adenocarcinoma, and one metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Deep margins ranged from 0 to 0.9 mm, and peripheral margins ranged from 0 to 15 mm. The graft take was 100% in eight cases, with total failure in two cases, and 75%-90% in two cases. The five STSGs had 100% take and 90% take. The three FTSGs had 100%, 75%, and two failed. Conclusions: Clinical examination effectively gauges the tumor fixation depth, but large lesions may require imaging. Most deep-invading tumors were SCCs. STSGs performed better on burr-treated Calvaria than FTSGs.
RESUMO
Background: Operating on temporal cutaneous tumors is challenging because of the intricate facial nerve system, particularly the frontal branches, and the possibility of brow dysfunction. Surgery for deep margin clearance is difficult because of the fragile and sensitive soft tissue in the temporal region. To address this research gap, this study assessed clearance margins, types of skin tumors, and nerve injuries in this critical anatomical position. This retrospective study assessed temporal skin cancer surgery, malignancy types, and clearance margins in patients with frontal-branch facial nerve injuries. Methods: Forty-five patients with temporal skin carcinoma biopsies were analyzed. The deep and peripheral excision margins of skin malignancies were examined. Medical records were reviewed for clinically injured frontal nerve. Results: Thirty-four patients were men (75%), and basal cell carcinoma was the most prevalent histological malignancy, followed by squamous cell carcinoma. The mean age of the patients was 77.8 years (39-107 years). Two patients experienced damage to the frontal branch nerve. Twenty-six percent of the skin malignancies had inadequate deep margin excision. Conclusions: Removing temporal skin lesions is difficult. We discovered a 26% and 4% probability of inadequate deep margin excision and frontal branch facial nerve injury, respectively. Temporal skin lesions must be removed safely by surgeons to preserve the branches of the facial nerves. Insufficiently removed tumors require multidisciplinary teamwork and patient discussions regarding the advantages and risks to improve results.