Reconstructing Nasal Defects With Acellular Dermal Matrix After Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A 12-year Experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Large defects of the nose after Mohs surgery pose a significant reconstructive challenge to both dermatologic and reconstructive surgeons. The authors present their 12-year experience utilizing acellular dermal matrices for nasal reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing Mohs surgery and alloplastic nasal reconstruction with acellular dermal matrices between 2010 and 2022 was performed. Patients who underwent single-stage reconstruction and dual-stage reconstruction with skin graft with at least 90 days of follow-up were included. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients met criteria with a median age of 77 years. Fifty-three lesions were reconstructed with acellular dermal matrices. The most common lesion location was nasal sidewall (50%) with a mean defect size of 10.8 cm 2 . 30.8% underwent same-day acellular dermal matrix reconstruction, with 69.2% undergoing two-stage reconstruction. Acellular dermal matrices successfully reconstructed acquired defects in 94.2% of lesions. Average time to re-epithelialization was 27.6 + 6.2 days. Average time to repigmentation was 145.35 + 86 days. No recurrences were recorded. Total complication rate was 9.62%. Average size for successful healing was 10.8 cm 2 . Average defect size for complication or failure was 14.7 cm 2 . Seven sites (13.46%) underwent aesthetic improvement procedures. CONCLUSION: Acellular bilayer wound matrix is an adequate reconstructive option for single or dual-stage reconstruction of the nose with low complication and revision rates.

Using Integra for Reconstruction of Facial Defects after Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Background: We aimed to identify how Integra bilayer wound matrix has expanded facial reconstruction options after Mohs surgery due to its reliability in both single- and dual-stage reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing Mohs surgery and alloplastic facial reconstruction with Integra between 2012 and 2022 was performed. Patients who underwent single-stage reconstruction and dual-stage reconstruction with skin graft with at least 90 days of follow-up were included. Results: One hundred thirty patients with a median age of 76 years were included. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common malignancy (39%). One hundred forty-two lesions were treated and reconstructed same-day with Integra. Lesions most commonly involved the nose (34%) and forehead (22%). The mean postoperative defect size was 26.9 cm2. An estimated 45.5% (n = 60) of defect sites underwent single-stage reconstruction with healing by secondary intention, whereas 54.5% (n = 72) underwent dual-stage reconstruction with skin graft. Integra success rate was 90.2%. Average time to re-epithelialization was 32.2 + 7.3 days. Average time to repigmentation was 169.5 + 14.6 days. The complication rate was 12.8% (n = 17), with 12 undergoing debridement, three needing new Integra graft, and seven needing new skin grafts. Average size for successful healing without complication was 26.6 cm2. Nineteen sites (13.2%) underwent aesthetic improvement procedures, with the majority occurring after dual-stage reconstruction (n = 13). Conclusions: Integra is a reliable outpatient reconstructive option for facial Mohs defects that can increase the threshold for autologous tissue harvesting and successfully reconstruct large defects of 26.6 cm2 on average with low complication and reoperation rates.

Anticipated Versus Unanticipated Incomplete Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Keratinocyte Carcinomas: Impact on Treatment Delays and Final Margin Status.

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery may be discontinued with positive margins as an anticipated strategy for multidisciplinary care or as an unanticipated occurrence. Management of primary tumors has not been compared after anticipated versus unanticipated incomplete Mohs micrographic surgery (iMMS). OBJECTIVE: To compare rates and timing of adjuvant surgery after iMMS and final margin status when iMMS is anticipated versus unanticipated. Secondary outcomes were preoperative and intraoperative clinicopathologic factors associated with iMMS. METHODS: Cases of iMMS of keratinocyte carcinomas at a tertiary academic center between 2005 and 2022 were classified as anticipated (preoperative assembly of multidisciplinary teams) or unanticipated (ad hoc management of positive margins). Rate, timing, and final margin status of adjuvant surgery was compared between anticipated and unanticipated iMMS cohorts using χ2/Fisher exact test for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Of 127 iMMS cases, 51.2% (65/127) were anticipated. Anticipated iMMS cases were more likely to undergo additional resection (98.5% vs 72.6%, p < .001), with fewer delays (3.9 vs 13.2 days, p < .001) and higher rates of final margin clearance (84.6% vs 59.7%, p < .001). CONCLUSION: When iMMS is anticipated as part of multidisciplinary care, patients are more likely to undergo additional resection, with fewer delays to next surgery and higher final margin clearance rates.

Evolving teledermatology policy and reimbursement landscape in the United States.

Background: Policymakers and payers are reevaluating the temporary telehealth flexibilities granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency, which will shape future teledermatology utilization. Objective: To summarize the recently expanded telehealth flexibilities in the United States, projected changes, and corresponding implications for dermatologists. Methods: Narrative review of the literature, United States policies and regulations, and white paper reports. Results: Key telehealth flexibilities included expansion of payment parity, relaxation of originating site requirements, loosening of state licensure requirements, and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) enforcement discretion. These changes enabled widespread accessibility and adoption of teledermatology, which enhanced high-quality and cost-effective dermatologic care. Most waivers will end 151 days following the end of the public health emergency declaration. Notably, asynchronous telehealth was not included in the reimbursement expansion. Limitations: Only policies and regulations through December 2022 are included. Conclusion: It will be important for the field of dermatology to stay abreast of the upcoming changes in telemedicine policies and reimbursement, to demonstrate teledermatology's value through evidence-based studies and to advocate for enduring policies that will promote the accessibility of teledermatology for patients.

Likelihood of Craniofacial Injury and Hospitalization with Alcohol Use While Skateboarding and Scootering.

Study Design: We designed a cross-sectional epidemiologic study to evaluate the influence of substance use on craniofacial injuries in a population of skateboard and scooter users. Objective: The primary outcome of our study was craniofacial injury. The secondary outcome was hospitalization. Methods: We report a cross-sectional study of patients reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, in the United States. Patients were included in our study if they were evaluated in the emergency department (ED) for a skateboard- or scooter-related injury. Results: There were over 5396 total patients who presented to a NEISS-participating ED after skateboard- or scooter- related trauma during the study period. There were 1136 patients with a craniofacial injury (primary endpoint), and patients under the influence of alcohol or drugs had greater odds of experiencing a craniofacial injury than those not under the influence (odds ratio [OR]: 4.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.24-5.32, P < .0001). Four hundred-thirty patients were hospitalized (secondary endpoint), and patients under the influence had greater odds of being hospitalized than those not under the influence (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 2.04-3.91, P < .0001). Conclusions: Alcohol and drug use while skateboarding or scootering drastically increases the likelihood of craniofacial injury and subsequent hospitalization and should be avoided whenever possible. The importance of wearing a helmet while operating these devices cannot be overstated.

Recreational Motorized Vehicle Use Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs Significantly Increases Odds of Craniofacial Injury.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Objective: Concurrent substance-use, including alcohol and drugs, increases the risks of many recreational activities. Our purpose was to determine the relationship between substance use and craniofacial injuries in a large population of patients experiencing trauma due to recreational motorized vehicle use. Methods: We report a cross-sectional study of patients reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, in the United States. Patients were included in our study if they were evaluated in the emergency department (ED) for a recreational motorized vehicle-related injury. Primary outcome was craniofacial injury. Results: There were a total of 6,485 adult patients who experience an injury after recreational motorized vehicle trauma reported by NEISS-participating EDs during the study period. Of this, 1,416 (21.8%) patients had a craniofacial injury, and 201 patients with craniofacial injuries were under the influence of alcohol/drugs (201/1,416; 14.2%). Injured patients under the influence of alcohol/drugs experienced greater odds of sustaining a general craniofacial injury (OR 2.50, 95% CI: 2.07-3.01, P < .0001), including craniofacial fracture (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 2.01-4.40, P < .0001), laceration (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.51-3.16, P < .00001) and internal injury (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.84-2.95, P < .00001) than injured patients not under the influence. Conclusions: Using recreational motorized vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not safe and increases the likelihood of craniofacial injuries, including fractures, lacerations, and internal injuries. As operating these recreational motorized vehicles under the influence is illegal, the law should be strictly enforced to prevent the occurrence of these injuries. Additional undertakings to increase helmet usage would be valuable.

Implication of Hypothalamus in Alleviating Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is common among spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, and there remain clinical difficulties in treating NP due to the lack of understanding of underlying mechanisms. Extracellular proteins, such as matrix metalloproteinase and ß-catenin, have been shown to be activated in the spinal cord regions following an injury, and may play a key role in contributing to NP states. While these extracellular proteins have been used as therapeutic targets in the spinal cord, there has also been evidence of up-regulation in the hypothalamus following a SCI. We hypothesize that the hypothalamus is involved in regulating NP following a SCI, and hence should be researched further to determine if it is a viable target for future therapeutic treatments.

How different types of users develop trust in technology: a qualitative analysis of the antecedents of active and passive user trust in a shared technology.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antecedents of trust in technology for active users and passive users working with a shared technology. According to the prominence-interpretation theory, to assess the trustworthiness of a technology, a person must first perceive and evaluate elements of the system that includes the technology. An experimental study was conducted with 54 participants who worked in two-person teams in a multi-task environment with a shared technology. Trust in technology was measured using a trust in technology questionnaire and antecedents of trust were elicited using an open-ended question. A list of antecedents of trust in technology was derived using qualitative analysis techniques. The following categories emerged from the antecedent: technology factors, user factors, and task factors. Similarities and differences between active users and passive user responses, in terms of trust in technology were discussed.