[Post-surgical management of split-thickness skin grafts in oculoplastic surgery]. / Operatives Management und Nachsorge freier Spalthauttransplantate in der okuloplastischen Chirurgie.

Malignant skin tumours in periocular regions often demand ophthalmo-surgical measures. Split-thickness skin grafts still represent an important treatment alternative when plastic-reconstructive covering through local tissue of the facial area is impossible. Essential technical steps to gain viable split-thickness skin grafts are introduced. Current standards in the after-treatment of split-thickness skin grafts at the receiving location as well as in the after-care of the donor area are presented from interdisciplinary points of view referring to the latest publications. Hydrocolloidal dressings are recommended for the after-treatment of removal areas such as the inside of the forearm since they improve post-surgical management for the ophthalmologist significantly and help in abbreviating healing duration. Pain sensation of the patient as well as the rate of infection are minimal. Throughout the early stages, split-thickness skin grafts at reception areas often demand an intensified local massage treatment with hydrocortisone 2.5 % ophthalmic cream. During the later stages follow-up measures should be stopped neither too soon nor abruptly. Ointments with polysiloxane and silicon dioxide preserve skin suppleness and prevent the occurrence of shrinkage as well as hypertrophic scars.

[Topical chemotherapy for conjunctival tumours - the medical and legal bearings of the case]. / Lokale Chemotherapie von Tumoren der Bindehaut - interdisziplinär medizinische und administrative Aspekte.

The treatment management of malignant tumours is characterised and limited by specific features of the topographical structure of the eye. The anatomic characteristics of the conjunctival sac, the movable tissue structures and the need to take care of corneal transparency and conjunctival stability are the main concerns of the experts. Clinical studies have revealed adjuvant chemotherapy to have a positive effect as a therapeutic treatment for neoplasia of the conjunctiva and cornea. Although mitomycin and interferon are widely used, there are no phase III studies on local adjuvant chemotherapy (interferon, mitomycin, 5-fluorouracil) that evaluate the proof of effectiveness, potential adverse effects or interactions with other drugs. For this reason, the currently available studies fail to comply with the jurisdiction of the German Federal Social Court. Hence, the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds (MDK) regionally does not accept the medical preconditions for reimbursement of the costs in adjuvant local chemotherapy. A doctor's unquestioned acceptance of such an MDK decision could have legal consequences. An off-label use is acceptable by law if there is no alternative treatment available with a higher evidence level that conforms to the medical standard. It is therefore recommendable for the Joint Federal Committee commissions the experts in ophthalmology and oncology on off-label use, to review the scientific evidence regarding adjuvant therapy of malignant tumours of the ocular surface. Only in this way can regional disparities in patient care, and intrusions on the doctor-patient relationship, be avoided.