Checkpoint immunotherapy of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: divergent outcomes in two men treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) numbers among the most common types of skin cancer and is known as one of the cancer entities with the highest mutational burden among all solid tumours. Due to the positive correlation between mutational burden and response rate to inhibitors of the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), those inhibitors are considered promising candidates for the systemic therapy of cSCC. Recently, the PD-1 inhibitors pembrolizumab, nivolumab and cemiplimab demonstrated efficacy in the systemic treatment of locally advanced or metastatic cSCC leading to the approval of cemiplimab by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) in 2018 and the EMA (European Medicines Agency) in 2019. Patients with haematological malignancies tend to develop skin cancers of high aggressiveness, enhanced cumulative recurrence rate and higher rates of metastases with subsequent death. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most frequent type of leukaemia in the United States and Europe with the majority of patients older than 50 years of age. This neoplasm predominantly originates from B -cells leading to an impaired immune system of the patient. Although CLL is a B-cell malignancy, studies have also described the involvement of T cells in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease with contradictory findings on the effects of PD-1 inhibitors in CLL. Due to their underlying hematologic malignancy, these patients have commonly no access to PD-1 inhibitor trials for treatment of advanced cSCC. We report on two patients with locally advanced or metastatic cSCC. Both patients had been suffering from a CLL for many years without indication for treatment. Despite a potential immunosuppressive state of the patients due to their CLL, both were treated with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab resulting in different therapy outcomes.

[Modern ulcer surgery : Invasive treatment options using the example of therapy-resistant venous leg ulcers]. / Moderne Ulkuschirurgie : Invasive Behandlungsoptionen am Beispiel des therapieresistenten Ulcus cruris venosum.

The socioeconomic significance of chronic venous leg ulcers is considerable due to the high number of patients, the costs of diagnosis and therapy, the deterioration in quality of life, and the loss of working capacity during the disease. This is further increased by a progressive course and an increased tendency to recurrence. Taking these facts into account, surgical treatment options are of particular importance, especially in otherwise therapy-refractory courses. For this purpose, an extensive spectrum of surgical and new, partly not yet finally evaluated, invasive techniques are now available. Venous surgery and endovenous closure techniques are suitable for eliminating primary or secondary varicosis as a causal therapy for venous leg ulcers. Shave therapy is the method of choice in the presence of dermatolipo(fascio)sclerosis. Current long-term results show good results with cure rates of 70-80%. In individual cases, surgical techniques involving fascia cruris (faciotomy, fasciotomy) can also be used. Recurrence ulcers can often be successfully treated by repeated shave therapy, optionally with simultaneous vacuum-assisted dressing techniques or by a fasciotomy. In addition, local invasive techniques such as autologous fat tissue transplantation or autologous platelet-rich plasma can be used to promote wound healing. Thus, both surgically invasive local therapy and advanced surgery of the causes of chronic venous leg ulcers play a key role in the overall therapy concept.

Sequence-dependent cross-resistance of combined radiotherapy plus BRAFV600E inhibition in melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma is hampered by drug-resistance and often requires combination with radiotherapy as last-resort option. However, also after radiotherapy, clinical relapses are common. METHODS & RESULTS: Our preclinical models indicated a higher rate of tumour relapse when melanoma cells were first treated with BRAFV600E inhibition (BRAFi) followed by radiotherapy as compared to the reverse sequence. Accordingly, retrospective follow-up data from 65 stage-IV melanoma patients with irradiated melanoma brain metastases confirmed a shortened duration of local response of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-inhibitor-pretreated compared with MAPK-inhibitor-naïve intracranial metastases. On the molecular level, we identified JARID1B/KDM5B as a cellular marker for cross-resistance between BRAFi and radiotherapy. JARID1Bhigh cells appeared more frequently under upfront BRAFi as compared with upfront radiation. JARID1B favours cell survival by transcriptional regulation of genes controlling cell cycle, DNA repair and cell death. CONCLUSION: The level of cross-resistance between combined MAPK inhibition and radiotherapy is dependent on the treatment sequence. JARID1B may represent a novel therapy-overarching resistance marker.

[Insufficient tetanus vaccination protection in psoriasis and systemic immunosuppression : Results of a retrospective investigation of 101 patients]. / Unzureichender Tetanusimpfschutz bei Psoriasis und systemischer Immunsuppression : Ergebnisse einer retrospektiven Untersuchung an 101 Patienten.

BACKGROUND: With a prevalence of approximately 3 % worldwide, psoriasis is one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis are treated guideline-conform with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive agents. According to current guidelines physicians should be vigilant about the vaccination status of immunosuppressed patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to serologically objectify the tetanus vaccination status in systemically treated patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the context of this retrospective study the concentration of immunoglobulin G antibodies against Clostridium tetani was determined in 101 patients with systemic immunosuppression suffering from psoriasis. RESULTS: In a total of 27.7% (n = 28; 11 male, 17 female) of the patients, insufficient immunoglobulin G antibody concentrations were detected, corresponding to a higher risk of an infection with C. tetani. Group subanalyses indicated an insufficient tetanus protection especially in patients ≥65 years old (50%). CONCLUSION: The tetanus immune status of psoriasis patients was shown to be comparable with the general population. The results of our investigation underline that people suffering from psoriasis have to be tested for tetanus protection and if necessary, vaccinations have to be renewed.

De la imagen intervencionista a la guía intraoperatoria: nuevas perspectivas combinando herramientas avanzadas y navegación con la cirugía radioguiada / From interventionist imaging to intraoperative guidance: new perspectives by combining advanced tools and navigation with radio-guided surgery

La integración de tecnologías de imagen médica en los enfoques diagnósticos y terapéuticos puede proporcionar una perspectiva preoperatoria tanto en los aspectos anatómicos (tomografía computarizada, resonancia magnética o ecografía) como funcional (tomografía computarizada de emisión de fotón único, tomografía por emisión de positrones, linfogammagrafía o imagen óptica). Además, algunas modalidades de imagen se utilizan también en un entorno intervencionista (tomografía computarizada, ecografía, imágenes gammagráficas o imágenes ópticas), donde proporcionan al cirujano información en tiempo real durante el procedimiento. En la actualidad son factibles diversas herramientas y enfoques metodológicos para la navegación guiada por imágenes en la cirugía del cáncer. Con el desarrollo de nuevos trazadores y dispositivos portátiles de imagen, estos avances reforzarán el papel de la imagen molecular intervencionista (AU)

The integration of medical imaging technologies into diagnostic and therapeutic approaches can provide a preoperative insight into both anatomical (e.g. using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound), as well as functional aspects (e.g. using single photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, lymphoscintigraphy, or optical imaging). Moreover, some imaging modalities are also used in an interventional setting (e.g. computed tomography, ultrasound, gamma or optical imaging) where they provide the surgeon with real-time information during the procedure. Various tools and approaches for image-guided navigation in cancer surgery are becoming feasible today. With the development of new tracers and portable imaging devices, these advances will reinforce the role of interventional molecular imaging (AU)

From interventionist imaging to intraoperative guidance: New perspectives by combining advanced tools and navigation with radio-guided surgery. / De la imagen intervencionista a la guía intraoperatoria: nuevas perspectivas combinando herramientas avanzadas y navegación con la cirugía radioguiada.

The integration of medical imaging technologies into diagnostic and therapeutic approaches can provide a preoperative insight into both anatomical (e.g. using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound), as well as functional aspects (e.g. using single photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, lymphoscintigraphy, or optical imaging). Moreover, some imaging modalities are also used in an interventional setting (e.g. computed tomography, ultrasound, gamma or optical imaging) where they provide the surgeon with real-time information during the procedure. Various tools and approaches for image-guided navigation in cancer surgery are becoming feasible today. With the development of new tracers and portable imaging devices, these advances will reinforce the role of interventional molecular imaging.

Photoacoustic imaging of real-time oxygen changes in chronic leg ulcers after topical application of a haemoglobin spray: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To use a non-invasive measurement of oxygen saturation in chronic leg ulcers after the application of a topical haemoglobin spray to investigate if photoacoustic tomography is able to measure the oxygen saturation and if the stimulated oxygen increase can be demonstrated. METHOD: We measured the oxygen saturation of the ulcer tissue in five patients with chronic leg ulcers before application and 5 and 20 minutes after application of the haemoglobin spray, using photoacoustic tomography as a new method to assess oxygenation in real-time. RESULTS: The average oxygen saturation showed a significant increase from 56.4% before to 69% (p=0.042) after 5 minutes and 78.8% (p=0.043) 20 minutes after the topical haemoglobin application. CONCLUSION: The oxygenation status of chronic, hard-to-heal wounds is gaining increasing interest in modern wound therapy. Topical haemoglobin spray is a new and effective method to increase the oxygenation in the ulcer tissue, but until now the link between clinical results and the mode of action was unclear. We were able to show for the first time that the use of a topical haemoglobin spray leads to an increase in oxygen saturation in vivo using photoacoustic tomography. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: Joachim Dissemond received financial support from the company SastoMed for several scientific projects as well as for lectures and as an advisor. The haemoglobin spray was provided by SastoMed GmbH (Georgsmarienhütte, Germany).

[Panton-Valentine leukocidin in patients with chronic wounds. Results from a clinical investigation in 100 patients]. / Panton-Valentine Leukozidin in chronischen Wunden. Ergebnisse einer klinischen Untersuchung bei 100 Patienten.

BACKGROUND: The toxin Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) produced by S. aureus is known as a virulence factor that leads to severe infections of skin and soft tissue. However the effect of PVL on wound healing is not known yet. Therefore we examined the detection rate of PVL in patients with chronic wounds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 100 patients with chronic wounds of the lower limb. We determined in all S. aureus isolates the presence of the PVL gene using a PCR technique. RESULTS: Altogether 94% of the patients had a leg ulcer, while 6% had a foot ulcer; 65% were women. PVL was found in two patients. One of the strains was methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and the other was methicillin-sensitive (MSSA). CONCLUSION: In our investigation there was detection rate for PVL of 2% of all S. aureus isolates in patients with chronic wounds of the lower extremities. Although the role of PVL as a virulence factor of S. aureus in wound healing remains unclear, the detection of PVL should be taken as a cause for a consequent topical antimicrobial wound therapy because of the increased risk of serious infections.

[Phlebology in German departments of dermatology. An analysis on behalf of the German Society of Phlebology]. / Phlebologie an deutschen Hautkliniken. Eine Bestandsaufnahme im Auftrag der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Phlebologie.

BACKGROUND: Phlebologic diseases have become extremely common and have major socio-economic impact. However, the percentage of dermatologists working in phlebology appears to be decreasing according to the data of the German Society of Phlebology (DGP). METHODS: To investigate the reasons for this development, we--on behalf of the DGP--sent a questionnaire to 120 German Departments of Dermatology in autumn 2012. RESULTS: In 76 returned questionnaires, the number of physicians with additional fellowship training in phlebology averaged 1.5; the average number of those who fulfill the criteria for training fellows in phlebology was 0.9. In 71.1 % of the departments there was a phlebologist. A special phlebologic outpatient clinic existed in 73.7 % of the departments. Sonography with Doppler (89.5 %) and duplex (86.8 %) was used as the most frequent diagnostic tool. For therapy, compression (94.7 %), sclerotherapy (liquid 78.9 %, foam 63.2 %, catheter 18.4 %), endoluminal thermic procedures (radio wave 28.9 %, laser 17.1 %) and surgery (especially crossectomy and stripping 67.1 %, phlebectomy of tributaries 75 %) were used. The average number of treatments was very heterogenous in the different departments. CONCLUSIONS: Phlebology definitely plays an important role in dermatology. Most departments fulfill the formal criteria for the license to conduct advanced training in phlebology. A wide spectrum of phlebological diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is available.

18FDG-PET to assess recurrence and long term survival in patients with malignant melanoma.

AIM: To assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of FDG-PET/CT in the follow-up of malignant melanoma in comparison to the serum protein S100B. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of ninety patients with either low-risk or high-risk malignant melanoma, respectively, were included in this study. The follow-up of the patients was pursuant with the guidelines of the German Dermatological Association. The diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic power were determined for PET/CT and for the serum protein S100B. RESULTS: In 28 of the 90 patients PET/CT was positive in the follow up, 47 patients had an elevated Serum S100B level. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of PET/CT for the total groups of patients were 87%, 93%, 87% and 93%. The corresponding values for the serum protein S100B were 65%, 52%, 43% and 74%, respectively. PET/CT positive patients showed a significantly (p < 0.001) higher risk of melanoma associated death compared to patients with PET/CT negative findings. No statistical significance could be found in the 5 year survival rate between the S100B positive and S100B negative patients. CONCLUSION: PET/CT is suitable to confirm or exclude recurrences and can be used to assess the prognosis in melanoma patients. The diagnostic accuracy and the prognostic power is much higher compared to the serum protein S100B.

Reliability and cost-effectiveness of complete lymph node dissection under tumescent local anaesthesia vs. general anaesthesia: a retrospective analysis in patients with malignant melanoma AJCC stage III.

BACKGROUND: Complete lymph node dissection (CLND) in melanoma patients with a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) is currently being debated, as it is a cost-intensive surgical intervention with potentially high morbidity. OBJECTIVE: This clinical study seeks to clarify the effectiveness, reliability and cost-effectiveness of CLND performed under tumescent local anaesthesia (TLA) compared with procedures under general anaesthesia (GA). METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data from 60 patients with primary malignant melanoma American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III who underwent CLND. RESULTS: Altogether 26 (43.3%) patients underwent CLND under TLA and 34 (56.7%) patients underwent CLND under GA. Fifteen of 43 (34.9%) patients had a complication, such as development of seromas and/or wound infections. The rate of complications was 25.0% (3/12) in the axilla subgroup and 28.6% (4/14) in the groin subgroup of the TLA group. In the GA group, the complication rate was 31.3% (5/16) in the axilla subgroup and 44.4% (8/18) in the groin subgroup. The costs for CLND were significantly less for the CLND in a procedure room performed under TLA (mean €67.26) compared with CLND in an operating room under GA (mean €676.20, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study confirms that TLA is an excellent, safe, effective and cost-efficient alternative to GA for CLND in melanoma patients.

Radio-guided surgery: advantages of a new portable γ-camera (Sentinella) for intraoperative real time imaging and detection of sentinel lymph nodes in cutaneous malignancies.

BACKGROUND: The histological status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is one of the most relevant prognostic factors for the overall survival of patients with cutaneous malignancies, independent of tumour depth of the primary tumour. OBJECTIVES: Our study seeks to evaluate the reliability and medical benefit of SLN excision (SLNE) performed with a portable γ-camera for intraoperative real time imaging of SLN. METHODS: Therefore our study compares the visualization of SLN performed with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and preoperative SPECT/CT with the intraoperative real time imaging of SLN performed with a new portable γ-camera (Sentinella) in 60 patients who were treated with a SLNE for early stage melanoma (n = 38), high risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (n = 16), Merkel cell carcinoma (n = 4), sebaceous gland carcinoma (n = 1), and sweat glands carcinoma or porocarcinoma (n = 1). RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled in this study. The portable γ-camera visualized all 126 preoperatively identified SLN. 23 additional SLN (15.4%) in 15 patients were only identified using the portable γ-camera. Two of these additional SLN showed metastatic involvement. CONCLUSION: The portable γ-camera is an innovative imaging technique, reliable and providing additional information in the detection of SLN. Therefore SLNE with intraoperative γ-camera use is an attractive option to improve the detection of SLN in cutaneous malignancies and could help to reduce false negative SLN results.

Advantages of preoperative ultrasound in conjunction with lymphoscintigraphy in detecting malignant melanoma metastases in sentinel lymph nodes: a retrospective analysis in 221 patients with malignant melanoma AJCC Stages I and II.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node excision (SLNE) for the detection of regional nodal metastases and staging of malignant melanoma has resulted in some controversies in international discussions as it is a surgical intervention with potential morbidity. OBJECTIVE: The present retrospective study seeks to clarify the reliability of preoperative ultrasonography (US) in direct comparison to the result of SLNE and seeks to identify potential advantages of preoperative ultrasound if performed in conjunction with lymphoscintigraphy in detecting malignant melanoma metastases in sentinel lymph node (SLN). PATIENTS: We retrospectively analysed data from 221 patients with primary malignant melanoma with a Breslow index of ≥ 1.0 mm. RESULTS: Of the 221 patients, 77.4% (n = 171) had a negative SLN. In 50 patients (22.6%), the histopathological investigation of 71 excised lymph nodes resulted in a positive SLN. The US examination demonstrated a sensitivity of 13.6%, a specificity of 96.9%, a positive predictive value of 97.2% and a negative predictive value of 12.6%. SLNE alone shows a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 98.6%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98.3%. Preoperative US in conjunction with dynamic lymphoscintigraphy, followed by SLNE, demonstrated a detecting ratio of 100% (n = 28) for micrometastases and 98.6% (n = 42/43) for macrometastases. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study confirms that preoperative US alone cannot replace the vital information obtained during dynamic lymphoscintigraphy. But preoperative US is an important component of the staging procedure in melanoma patients and has clear advantages when performed in conjunction with dynamic lymphoscintigraphy. Therefore, we recommend preoperative US before every SLNE.

Relationship between the seasonal onset of chronic venous leg ulcers and climatic factors.

BACKGROUND: There have been reports indicating seasonal differences in the onset of chronic leg ulcers. The reasons for such seasonal fluctuations are not well understood. Therefore we decided to examine the seasonal incidence of chronic leg ulcers in our patient population, caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or mixed arterial and venous disorders, for any correlation with climatic factors. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of 183 patients with chronic leg ulcers, evaluated the monthly and seasonal onset of the leg ulcers and investigated correlations between the incidence and climatic factors. RESULTS: The onset of chronic leg ulcers showed significant seasonal fluctuations with a decrease in summer and an increase in autumn-winter. The ulcer onset in the cold months, autumn and winter, was significantly higher (P = 0.026) compared with spring and summer. Furthermore, in the bivariate correlation analysis of the variables temperature and ulcer onset, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between temperature and new ulcer onset. The colder the temperature was, the higher was the new ulcer onset with a correlation coefficient of -0.613 (P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The onset of chronic leg ulcers caused by CVI and mixed arterial and venous disorders in our patient population showed significant seasonal variations and demonstrated an inverse relationship to temperature. In summary, climatic factors appear to play an important role in the onset of chronic leg ulcers. Climatic factors may therefore need consideration in future clinical investigations and in the development of prophylactic therapeutic strategies.

[A new topically applied morphine gel for the pain treatment in patients with chronic leg ulcers: first results of a clinical investigation]. / Schmerzreduktion bei Patienten mit chronischem Ulcus cruris durch ein neu entwickeltes Morphingel : Erste Resultate einer klinischen Untersuchung.

BACKGROUND: The approach to patients with chronic leg ulcers should include not only an accurate diagnosis with appropriate therapy fort he underlying disease, but also the development of effective analgesia. To assess the analgesic effect of topical morphine, we developed a new morphine gel with polihexanide as a preservative for the local pain treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 30 patients with painful chronic leg ulcers with an average age of 66 years. The respective pain intensity was assessed 24 hours after application of the morphine hydrogel and objectified with a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranged from 0 to 10. RESULTS: All investigated patients had a pain intensity of at least 4 points before the topical application of the morphine gel; the average pain intensity was 7.8. After application of the morphine gel, a significant reduction of the average pain intensity was observed, with an average pain intensity of 4.5. CONCLUSION: These first clinical results with the new morphine gel suggest that at least fort he first 24 hours it combines the advantages of a moist wound healing and a local pain treatment. This new development is certainly a promising therapeutic alternative for pain treatment in patients with chronic leg ulcers.

Advantages of preoperative hybrid SPECT/CT in detection of sentinel lymph nodes in cutaneous head and neck malignancies.

BACKGROUND: There is some controversy around the value of sentinel lymph node excision (SLNE). Especially SLNE of cutaneous head and neck malignancies has been debated intensively, in part because of the complexity of the lymphatic drainage in this region associated with potential high morbidity. In order to improve preoperative three-dimensional mapping of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN), in the head and neck region, by means of hybrid single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is gaining significance. Our study seeks to identify the potential medical and economic advantages of preoperative SPECT/CT in direct comparison to standard SLNE without SPECT/CT in patients with cutaneous head and neck malignancies. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of 48 clinically lymph node-negative patients with early stage melanoma, high risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and porocarcinoma, who underwent SLNE with or without preoperative SPECT/CT within 4 years. RESULTS: The SLNE in the head and neck region with SPECT/CT-technique demonstrated better postoperative aesthetic results had lower morbidity and significantly reduced operating time. Moreover, SLNE with SPECT/CT-technique in the head and neck region was feasible using local anaesthesia (LA) and significantly reduced resulting costs (€32.65/SLNE with LA vs. €334.57/SLNE with general anaesthesia, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: SPECT/CT is an innovative imaging technique, reliably and readily providing additional anatomical/functional information to detect and to excise SLN in the head and neck region. Therefore, SLNE with SPECT/CT-technique is an attractive option to improve the detection of SLN in cutaneous head and neck malignancies.

Investigation of adhesion of modern wound dressings: a comparative analysis of 56 different wound dressings.

INTRODUCTION: In the process of chronic wound care, adhesive wound dressings may cause pain and injury in the wound environment during dressing changes. At present, no standardized test procedures are available for the investigation of adhesion of wound dressings. Therefore, our study aimed to test the adhesion of different wound dressings on steel as well as on healthy skin. METHODS: Within an open, comparative study, the adhesive areas of 56 wound dressings were investigated. The adhesives were categorized into acrylate (n = 23), silicone (n = 9), hydrocolloid (n = 17) and polyurethane groups (n = 7). Using an especially modified testing machine, the adhesion of the wound dressings was measured on steel as well as on the skin of healthy study participants, in compliance with the European EN 1939:2003 standard. RESULTS: The energy required to remove the wound dressings from human skin, was measured in Newton (N) and the following median values were obtained: hydrocolloid (2.25 N) > acrylate (1.14 N) > polyurethane (0.9 N) > silicone (0.7 N). The subjective pain intensity during the removal of the wound dressings was recorded using the visual analogue scale (VAS) with values ranging from 0 to 10. For hydrocolloid, it was 6.8, for acrylate 4.9, for polyurethane 3.1 and for silicone 2.5 points VAS. In comparison with human skin, the adhesion of wound dressings was significantly higher on steel (P < 0.0001), but was different for the different groups of wound dressings. Moreover, there was a statistically significant correlation between the adhesion and pain intensity (correlation coefficient 0.806; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The knowledge about the widely differing adhesion properties of different wound dressings on the skin of patients should nowadays be considered during the individual selection of the applied products. Based on these data, different types of wound dressings could be developed, guaranteeing a good adhesion and a low traumatic risk when removed.

Reliability and cost-effectiveness of sentinel lymph node excision under local anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia for malignant melanoma: a retrospective analysis in 300 patients with malignant melanoma AJCC Stages I and II.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node excision (SLNE) for the detection of regional nodal metastases and staging of malignant melanoma has resulted in some controversies in international discussions, as it is a cost-intensive surgical intervention with potentially significant morbidity. OBJECTIVE: The present retrospective study seeks to clarify the effectiveness and reliability of SLNE performed under tumescent local anaesthesia (TLA) and whether SLNE performed under TLA can reduce costs and morbidity. Therefore, our study is a comparison of SLNE performed under TLA and general anaesthesia (GA). PATIENTS: We retrospectively analysed data from 300 patients with primary malignant melanoma with a Breslow index of ≥1.0 mm. RESULTS: Altogether, 211 (70.3%) patients underwent SLNE under TLA and 89 (29.7%) patients underwent SLNE under GA. A total of 637 sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were removed. In the TLA group 1.98 SLN/patient and in the GA group 2.46 SLN/patient were removed (median value). Seventy patients (23.3%) had a positive SLN. No major complications occurred. The costs for SLNE were significantly less for the SLNE in a procedures room performed under TLA (mean € 30.64) compared with SLNE in an operating room under GA (mean € 326.14, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, SLNE performed under TLA is safe, reliable, and cost-efficient and could become the new gold standard in sentinel lymph node diagnostic procedures.

Bacterial colonization of chronic leg ulcers: current results compared with data 5 years ago in a specialized dermatology department.

BACKGROUND: In nearly every chronic wound different bacteria species can be detected. Nevertheless, the presence of such microorganisms is not necessarily obligatory associated with a delayed wound healing. But from this initially unproblematic colonization an infection up to a sepsis can arise in some patients. The aim of our clinical investigation was to analyse the spectrum of microbial colonization of patients with a chronic leg ulcer in our specialized dermatological outpatient wound clinic, and to compare them with the results of comparable data already collected 5 years ago. OBJECTIVES: In our retrospective investigation the results of bacteriological swabs were documented in 100 patients with a total of 107 chronic leg ulcers. All patients visited the specialized wound outpatient clinic, Department of Dermatology, University of Essen in Germany. METHODS: A total of 60 patients were female, 40 were male. The mean age was 65 years. Altogether a total of 191 bacterial isolates and 25 different bacterial species could be identified. RESULTS: The most often detected species were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 60), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 36) as well as Proteus mirabilis (n = 17). In 10 patients (10%) we identified a colonization with methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Merely in 6 patients the taken swabs were sterile. Five years ago a comparable investigation was already carried out in our wound outpatient clinic. At that time we could detect in particular more frequent MRSA (21.5% vs. 10%) and rarely P. aeruginosa (24.1% vs. 33.6%). CONCLUSION: The results of our investigation demonstrate the current spectrum of the bacterial colonization in patients with chronic leg ulcers in a university dermatological wound centre in comparison to the last 5 years. In our institution we were able to demonstrate a shift of the detected bacterial species from gram-positive in direction to gram-negative germs. Beside the already known problems with MRSA, in future therapeutic strategies in patients with chronic leg ulcers the increasing amount of gram-negative bacteria and especially of P. aeruginosa should considered.

Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy is a new and effective treatment for post-operative lymphorrhea and lymphocele.

BACKGROUND: The formation of post-operative lymphocele and lymphorrhea following lymph node surgery is a potentially serious complication. Until now there has been no consensus on the most effective treatment for these complications. Therefore, the aim of our clinical trial was to compare the use of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy with compression therapy to wound drainage, in the treatment of post-operative lymphoceles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively we analysed the data of 33 consecutive surgical patients who had developed a post-operative lymphocele between 2004 and 2008. We offered all patients drainage with compression therapy or polidocanol foam sclerotherapy with 1-day compression to treat the post-operative lymphoceles. RESULTS: Altogether, 12 patients were treated with polidocanol foam sclerotherapy and 21 patients were treated with drainage alone. Secretion volumes declined from initial 50-350 ml/day to 0-20 ml/day at the end of the therapy. Lymphorrhea resolved much quicker (P < 0.0001) in patients treated with polidocanol foam sclerotherapy (median 4 days, mean value 6.4 days) than in those treated with drainage (median 31 days, mean value 30.2 days). None of the patients developed a major complication. CONCLUSION: Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy is an effective and well-tolerated new treatment for patients with post-operative lymphoceles.