Follicular unit grafting in chronic ulcers: a valuable technique for integrated management.

Chronic ulcers significantly affect the quality of life of patients and impose a high cost on the healthcare system. The therapeutic management should be comprehensive, taking into consideration the etiological diagnosis of the wound and the characteristics of the wound bed when deciding on a therapeutic proposal appropriate to the healing phase, correcting factors that delay healing. During the epithelialization phase, repair techniques with grafts are recommended to shorten re-epithelialization time, improve the quality of scar tissue, and achieve adequate pain management. Currently, due to the reported benefits of skin appendages, the technique of follicular unit auto-grafting obtained with a scalp punch is among the chosen strategies for wound repair. This is a minimally invasive, outpatient practice, whose technique has advantages over the donor site, patients recovery and well-being.

Follicular unit grafting in chronic ulcers: a valuable technique for integrated management

Abstract Chronic ulcers significantly affect the quality of life of patients and impose a high cost on the healthcare system. The therapeutic management should be comprehensive, taking into consideration the etiological diagnosis of the wound and the characteristics of the wound bed when deciding on a therapeutic proposal appropriate to the healing phase, correcting factors that delay healing. During the epithelialization phase, repair techniques with grafts are recommended to shorten re-epithelialization time, improve the quality of scar tissue, and achieve adequate pain management. Currently, due to the reported benefits of skin appendages, the technique of follicular unit auto-grafting obtained with a scalp punch is among the chosen strategies for wound repair. This is a minimally invasive, outpatient practice, whose technique has advantages over the donor site, patients recovery and well-being.

Corticoides sistémicos en el tratamiento de la radiodermitis grave: una serie de casos / Systemic corticoids in the treatment of severe radiodermitis: a series of cases

Introducción: la radiodermitis es uno de los efectos secundarios más frecuentes de la radioterapia y afecta aproximadamente al 95% de los pacientes que la reciben. La radiodermitis aguda se presenta dentro de los 90 días posteriores al inicio del tratamiento, tiene un profundo impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y puede ser la causa de la interrupción prematura de la radioterapia. Su tratamiento es complejo y el papel de los corticoides sistémicos en él aún no ha sido evaluado. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo de 6 pacientes mayores de 18 años con radiodermitis grave, tratados con corticoides sistémicos al no responder a la terapia tópica inicial. Hubo un seguimiento de 6 meses, entre el 1 de junio de 2019 y el 30 de mayo de 2020, en el Servicio de Dermatología de un hospital de alta complejidad. Resultados: se indicó tratamiento con corticoides sistémicos en dosis de meprednisona 40 mg/día o equivalentes, durante 5 días, con resolución completa del cuadro en un período máximo de 15 días. Discusión: en la bibliografía no hemos encontrado trabajos científicos que comuniquen o evalúen la utilidad de los corticoides sistémicos en la radiodermitis grave. Proponemos, entonces, demostrar su utilidad en esta patología. Conclusión: el objetivo de este trabajo es comunicar nuestra experiencia en pacientes con radiodermitis aguda grave, con gran repercusión en el estado general, que evolucionaron con una rápida resolución del cuadro y un adecuado manejo sintomático, mediante el uso de corticoides sistémicos. (AU)

Introduction: radiodermitis is one of the most frequent side effects of radiotherapy and affects approximately 95% of the patients who receive it. Acute radiodermitis occurs within 90 days after the start of treatment, has a profound impact on the quality of life of patients and may be the cause of premature discontinuation of radiotherapy. Its treatment is complex and the role of systemic corticosteroids in it has not yet been evaluated. Materials and methods: descriptive study of 6 patients older than 18 years with severe radiodermatitis, treated with systemic corticosteroids when they did not respond to initial topical therapy. With a 6-month follow-up, between June 1, 2019 and May 30, 2020 at the Dermatology Service of a high complexity hospital. Results: treatment with systemic corticosteroids was indicated at a dose of meprednisone 40 mg/day or equivalent, for 5 days, with complete resolution of the symptoms in a maximum period of 15 days. Discussion: in the literature, we have not found scientific papers that report or evaluate the usefulness of systemic corticosteroids in severe radiodermatitis. We propose to demonstrate their usefulness in this pathology. Conclusion: the objective of this work is to communicate our experience in patients with severe acute radiodermatitis, with great repercussions on the general state, who evolved with rapid resolution of the symptoms and adequate symptomatic management, with the use of systemic corticosteroids. (AU)