Injection Adipolysis: Mechanisms, Agents, and Future Directions.

Noninvasive procedures targeting the elimination of unwanted adipose tissues have recently been developed. injection adipolysis is the term for the injection of cytotoxic substances into these tissues, with the intent of cosmetic improvement by volume reduction. initial attempts in the field utilized intravenous preparations of sodium deoxycholate and soy-derived phosphatidylcholine, approved for the intravenous treatment of fat emboli and dyslipidemias in countries outside the United States. it was initially purported that the active ingredient in these injections was phosphatidylcholine. Subsequent research discovered that injections of sodium deoxycholate alone were capable of inducing cellular lysis in vitro. These compounds also demonstrated an affinity for adipose tissue, sparing the overlying dermis and epidermis. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a formulation of sodium deoxycholate 10mg/mL for subcutaneous injection with the indication of aesthetic improvement of excess submental fat. it has shown moderate efficacy with appropriate patient selection and good patient satisfaction. However, previous research leading to the development of this drug proposed that including phosphatidylcholine to a more appealing cosmetic result, with decreased severity of injection-site reactions. Future drugs in the field of injection adipolysis may attempt to combine these ingredients for improved cosmesis and tolerability.

Role of antiseptics in the prevention of surgical site infections.

BACKGROUND: Antiseptics are chemical agents used to reduce the microbial population on the surface of the skin and are used in nearly every surgical procedure today. Despite this, there are currently no definitive guidelines on surgical preoperative antisepsis that indicate a specific regimen based on demonstration of superior efficacy. OBJECTIVE: This review serves to examine preoperative antisepsis, including cutaneous bacteriology, preoperative hair removal, preoperative decolonization, surgical attire, and the antiseptic agents themselves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the literature on surgical antiseptics was performed. RESULTS: Although numerous studies have demonstrated differences in bacterial colonization rates, few well-controlled investigations have demonstrated superiority of a given regimen. The alcohol-based iodophor and chlorhexidine products seem to exhibit greater efficacy than their aqueous counterparts. CONCLUSION: More randomized controlled trials will be needed to determine if any specific regimen is most effective. At this point in time, product usage should be based on specific attributes relating to the products, such as iodophors around the eyes and/or ears to avoid irritation and aqueous-based solutions in hair bearing areas because of concern for flammability. Ultimately, it is up to the individual surgeon to tailor the optimal antiseptic regimen for their specific scope of practice.

Understanding and use of the American Joint Committee on Cancer seventh edition guidelines for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a survey of dermatologic surgeons.

BACKGROUND: The seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual was published in 2009, including an updated chapter on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and other cutaneous carcinomas. Notable improvements from the previous sixth edition include placement of Merkel cell carcinoma and cSCC of the eyelid in individual chapters, elimination of the 5-cm clinical breakpoint for T3, and addition of high-risk features for upstaging T1 to T2 independent of clinical tumor size. Despite these advances, several publications critical of the AJCC guidelines have surfaced in the literature since their release. OBJECTIVE: To further evaluate the use and applicability of the most-recent AJCC guidelines for cSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web-based survey of members of the American College of Mohs Surgery to gauge knowledge and application of the guidelines. CONCLUSION: Although physician knowledge of the details of the guidelines was in line with expectations, some areas for improvement (e.g., coexistent immunosuppression incorrectly listed as a high-risk feature) remain. Also, the lack of change in practice, among Mohs surgeons or dermatopathologists, as a result of the guidelines is somewhat troubling and may be an area for further research.

Refractory Hailey-Hailey disease successfully treated with sandpaper dermabrasion.

A 53-year-old woman presented with a 20-year history of pruritic dermatitis on the groin, axillae, inframammary folds, posterior aspect of the neck, and popliteal fossae. She was referred to our clinic by an outside facility after results from a punch biopsy diagnosed Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD). The patient had previously attempted treatment with many traditional noninvasive options with no success. Topical treatment modalities included corticosteroids, immunomodulators, antifungals, retinoids, and antibiotic preparations. Intralesional corticosteroids, as well as botulinum toxin and carbon dioxide laser, were also unsuccessful. Failed systemic treatment modalities included antibiotics, antihistamines, prednisone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, acitretin, isotretinoin, adalimumab, and etanercept. Of note, cyclosporine was successful in clearing the cutaneous involvement in our patient, but elevation ofcreatinine and exacerbated hypertension precluded continued use. The decision was made to treat the patient by dermabrasion with sandpaper. The patient was prepped in a sterile fashion, and a field block with 1% lidocaine with epinephrine was performed. This was followed by abrasion down to the superficial dermis with 3M Sandblaster fine sandpaper (3M, St. Paul, MN) and hyfrecation between rounds ofdermabrasion. The treated areas were then covered with petrolatum and sterile gauze, and antibiotics and pain medication were prescribed. This treatment was initially performed on the patient's posterior aspect of the neck and later to the bilateral popliteal fossae and axillae. Three months post-treatment, desirable functional and cosmetic results of the treated areas had been achieved (Figure 1 and Figure 2). While no recurrence of clinically active HHD has been seen in the dermabraded areas of the neck and popliteal fossae, the patient continues to have active disease in the axillae despite sandpaper dermabrasion. To quantify our results, we performed two biopsies in the dermabraded sites of the popliteal fossae as healing occurred: a shave biopsy from an obviously active area, and a punch biopsy from a peripheral inactive border. The biopsy from the active area showed diffuse epidermal acantholysis similar to that seen in untreated HHD, while the healing periphery showed only scattered acantholytic areas and a sparse perivascular infiltrate-a marked improvement from the untreated areas.

Multiple nuchal fibromas in a 2-year-old without Gardner syndrome.

Nuchal fibromas, uncommon benign soft tissue tumors typically arising along the posterior neck, are often associated with Gardner syndrome (GS). These tumors have rarely been reported in association with scleroderma or as secondary to trauma and diabetes. Nuchal fibromas not associated with GS have been described predominantly in men aged 30 to 50. We report a 2-year-old African American girl with multiple nuchal fibromas along the posterior aspect of her neck and upper back. Retinal examination showed no signs of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, and genetic testing for the adenomatous polyposis coli gene mutation seen in GS was negative.

The role of sirolimus in the prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in organ transplant recipients.

Skin cancers are common in organ transplant recipients (OTRs). In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of and risk factors for cutaneous neoplasms, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in OTRs. The pathogenesis of SCC is reviewed, as well as the potential mechanisms for tumor progression and metastasis associated with two commonly used immunosuppressive medications: tacrolimus and cyclosporine. Finally, we discuss the mechanism of action and potential preventative use of sirolimus, a member of a newer class of immunosuppressants, the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.