AI assistance in aesthetic medicine-A consensus on objective medical standards.

BACKGROUND: Aesthetic medicine has traditionally relied on clinical scales for the objective assessment of baseline appearance and treatment outcomes. However, the scales focus on limited aesthetic areas mostly and subjective interpretation inherent in these scales can lead to variability, which undermines standardization efforts. OBJECTIVE: The consensus meeting aimed to establish guidelines for AI application in aesthetic medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In February 2024, the AI Consensus Group, comprising international experts in various specialties, convened to deliberate on AI in aesthetic medicine. The methodology included a pre-consensus survey and an iterative consensus process during the meeting. RESULTS: AI's implementation in Aesthetic Medicine has achieved full consensus for enhancing patient assessment and consultation, ensuring standardized care. AI's role in preventing overcorrection is recognized, alongside the need for validated objective facial assessments. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive facial aesthetic evaluations using indices such as the Facial Aesthetic Index (FAI), Facial Youth Index (FYI), and Skin Quality Index (SQI). These evaluations are to be gender-specific and exclude makeup-covered skin at baseline. Age and gender, as well as patients' ancestral roots, are to be considered integral to the AI assessment process, underlining the move towards personalized, precise treatments. CONCLUSION: The consensus meeting established that AI will significantly improve aesthetic medicine by standardizing patient assessments and consultations, with a strong endorsement for preventing overcorrection and advocating for validated, objective facial assessments. Utilizing indices such as the FAI, FYI, and SQI allows for gender-specific, age adjusted evaluations and insists on a makeup-free baseline for accuracy.

Automated CT Analysis of Body Composition as a Frailty Biomarker in Abdominal Surgery.

Importance: Prior studies demonstrated consistent associations of low skeletal muscle mass assessed on surgical planning scans with postoperative morbidity and mortality. The increasing availability of imaging artificial intelligence enables development of more comprehensive imaging biomarkers to objectively phenotype frailty in surgical patients. Objective: To evaluate the associations of body composition scores derived from multiple skeletal muscle and adipose tissue measurements from automated segmentation of computed tomography (CT) with the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) and adverse outcomes after abdominal surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used CT imaging and electronic health record data from a random sample of adults who underwent abdominal surgery at 20 medical centers within Kaiser Permanente Northern California from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020. Data were analyzed from April 1, 2022, to December 1, 2023. Exposure: Body composition derived from automated analysis of multislice abdominal CT scans. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome of the study was all-cause 30-day postdischarge readmission or postoperative mortality. The secondary outcome was 30-day postoperative morbidity among patients undergoing abdominal surgery who were sampled for reporting to the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Results: The study included 48 444 adults; mean [SD] age at surgery was 61 (17) years, and 51% were female. Using principal component analysis, 3 body composition scores were derived: body size, muscle quantity and quality, and distribution of adiposity. Higher muscle quantity and quality scores were inversely correlated (r = -0.42; 95% CI, -0.43 to -0.41) with the HFRS and associated with a reduced risk of 30-day readmission or mortality (quartile 4 vs quartile 1: relative risk, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.56-0.67) and 30-day postoperative morbidity (quartile 4 vs quartile 1: relative risk, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.52-0.67), independent of sex, age, comorbidities, body mass index, procedure characteristics, and the HFRS. In contrast to the muscle score, scores for body size and greater subcutaneous and intermuscular vs visceral adiposity had inconsistent associations with postsurgical outcomes and were attenuated and only associated with 30-day postoperative morbidity after adjustment for the HFRS. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, higher muscle quantity and quality scores were correlated with frailty and associated with 30-day readmission and postoperative mortality and morbidity, whereas body size and adipose tissue distribution scores were not correlated with patient frailty and had inconsistent associations with surgical outcomes. The findings suggest that assessment of muscle quantity and quality on CT can provide an objective measure of patient frailty that would not otherwise be clinically apparent and that may complement existing risk stratification tools to identify patients at high risk of mortality, morbidity, and readmission.

Foot Melanoma Localized to Subungual Toe Location Portends Poorer Prognosis.

Our group previously reported that melanoma of the foot is associated with advanced disease on diagnosis and decreased survival. Lesions localized to the toe appeared to have the worst outcomes. In this study, we both expanded our study to include a 10-year population of patient with invasive melanoma of the foot and ankle and investigated additional factors associated with prognosis. Between January 2007 and December 2016, 211 patients underwent biopsy diagnosis and surgery for invasive melanoma in the BLANK health care system. Demographic, pathologic, staging, and localization characteristics were studied for overall survival. Lesions were localized to dorsal foot, plantar foot, toe (nonsubungual), and toe (subungual) locations. Multivariable analysis found Breslow depth, ulceration, lymph node involvement, and subungual toe location to be associated with poorer survival. Overall survival rate for foot melanoma was 70.6%. Overall survival for nonsubungual toe melanoma was 60.7%, compared to 53.1% for subungual toe melanoma. Of the subungual melanomas, 37.5% of presented as deep lesions with a Breslow depth >4.0 mm. Subungual melanoma was statistically significant for and found to be an independent prognostic factor associated with poorer survival and advanced disease. Based on the results of this study, there should be a low threshold to biopsy suspicious lesions of the toe and foot with particular attention to be dedicated to subungual lesions.

Survival of Elderly Patients Undergoing Pancreatoduodenectomy in an Integrated Health System.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to examine pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) perioperative outcomes and consider how age may be related to overall survival in an integrated health system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 309 patients who underwent PD between December 2008 and December 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: aged 75 y or less and more than 75 y, defined as senior surgical patients. Univariate and multivariable analyses of predictive clinicopathologic factors associated with overall survival at 5 y were performed. RESULTS: In both groups, the majority underwent PD for malignant disease. The proportion of senior surgical patients alive at 5 y was 33.3% compared to 53.6% of younger patients (P = 0.003). There were also statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to body mass index, cancer antigen 19-9, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and Charlson comorbidity index. On multivariable analysis, disease type, cancer antigen 19-9, hemoglobin A1c, length of surgery, length of stay, Charlson comorbidity index, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status were found to be statistically significant factors for overall survival. Age was not significantly related to overall survival on multivariable logistic regression and when the analysis was limited to pancreatic cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the difference in overall survival between patients aged less than and more than 75 years was significant, age was not an independent risk factor for overall survival on multivariable analysis. Rather than a patient's chronological age, his/her physiologic age including medical comorbidities and functional status may be more correlated to overall survival.

Pancreaticogastrostomy as a fistula mitigating strategy for a high-risk pancreatic anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has been associated with soft gland texture and/or small pancreatic duct. We hypothesized that selective use of pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) over pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) in those scenarios would decrease the rate of CR-POPF. METHODS: Review of prospective database of all PD's performed at a single institution between 2009 and 2019 was performed. The pancreatic remnant was deemed "high risk" if soft gland and/or small duct were present. RESULTS: PJ was performed in 199 (147 "low-risk" and 52 "high-risk") cases, and 110 patients (all "high-risk") had a PG. Overall CR-POPF rate was 11.9% with no difference between the groups. Risk-stratified analysis within PJ group showed CR-POPF rate of 5.4% versus 36% in "low-risk" versus "high risk" scenarios, respectively; the use of PG significantly decreased CR-POPF rate (9.1%, p < 0.0001). Gastrointestinal bleeding was more likely to occur following PG than PJ. Soft gland texture and gastrointestinal bleeding were the strongest predictors of CR-POPF in PJ and PG groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Selective use of PG after PD in "high-risk" scenarios mitigates the risk of CR-POPF. Increased rate of gastrointestinal bleeding calls for further refinement of the technique and heightened postoperative vigilance.

Pancreatic Adenosquamous Carcinoma: Experience Within an Integrated Health Care System.

Introduction Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the pancreas is a rare form of pancreatic cancer with a worse prognosis than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The authors report on a retrospective study of 13 patients diagnosed with ASC in an integrated health care system. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all patients with pancreatic cancer identified between February 2010 and December 2018. Twenty-three patients were diagnosed with pancreatic ASC. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and median survival were evaluated. Results Median overall survival was 8 months (standard devision [SD] = 18.6). Eight out of 13 patients who received surgery upfront had a positive surgical margin (62%). Eleven patients received adjuvant therapy. Median survival for patients who received multimodal treatment was 57 months (SD = 5.7) compared with 2.5 months for patients who received only surgery. Median survival for patients with negative pathologic margins was 17 months (SD = 23.6). One patient was receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (6 months into treatment without any evidence of metastatic disease). Discussion The high proportion of positive surgical margins and large tumor size upon presentation suggest that primary tumor downstaging should be considered. The positive results from recent prospective trials on neoadjuvant chemoradiation for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma could be a promising foundation of information for the treatment of ASC. Conclusion ASC of the pancreas is an extremely aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Further work is needed to determine the optimal multimodal treatment regimen.

A Multicenter Virtual Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Case Conference Improves Outcome for a Rare Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans).

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of a virtual multidisciplinary sarcoma case conference (VMSCC) on the outcomes of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). METHODS: We compared margin status after surgery and disease-free survival (DFS) on two cohorts of patients with DFSP, one diagnosed from 2010 to 2015 and one from 2016 to 2020 (before and after virtual multidisciplinary sarcoma case conference (VMSCC) within Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two cohorts on demographics, tumor location, type of surgery, receipt of radiation, receipt of imatinib, or size of tumor. However, the percent of patients with positive margin after final surgery and the percent of local recurrence were significantly different: 6.5% and 6.3% for the 2010-2015 cohort, and .8% and 0% for the 2016-2020 cohort, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the outcomes of DFSP improved significantly after the implementation of VMSCC.

Expert recommendations on the assessment and management of complications due to hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler injections in Asians.

BACKGROUND: The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers for medical aesthetic purposes is increasing worldwide. Nonetheless, adverse events do occur because of patient-specific issues, injection technique, or product factors. It would be mandatory to consider cultural and anatomical features of Asians in preventing and managing the complications of HA injections. METHODS: Literature search of studies looking at current evidence and guidelines on the management of complications following HA filler injections in Asian patients was conducted. This was followed by an expert group discussion that was convened to reach consensus recommendations on the best clinical practices. RESULTS: The expert panel provided specific recommendations focusing on the safe use of soft tissue fillers in Asian patients, including early identification of adverse events and how to prevent and comprehensively manage these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we provide consensus statements of Asian experts in dermatology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and aesthetic medicine mainly focusing on AEs with higher risk for Asians and can be used to guide physicians in treating Asian population.

Predicting early discharge and readmission following pancreaticoduodenectomy [S079].

INTRODUCTION: Implementing enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for major abdominal surgery has been shown to decrease length of stay (LOS) and postoperative complications, including mortality and readmission. Little is known to guide which patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) should be eligible for ERAS protocols. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A retrospective chart review of all PD performed from 2010 to 2018 within an integrated healthcare system was conducted. A predictive score that ranges from 0 to 4 was developed, with one point assigned to each of the following: obesity (BMI > 30), operating time > 400 min, estimated blood loss (EBL) > 400 mL, low- or high-risk pancreatic remnant (based on the presence of soft gland or small duct). Chi-squared tests and ANOVA were used to assess the relationship between this score and LOS, discharge before postoperative day 7, readmission, mortality, delayed gastric emptying (DGE), and pancreatic leak/fistula. RESULTS: 291 patients were identified. Mean length of stay was 8.5 days in those patients who scored 0 compared to 16.2 days for those who scored 4 (p = 0.001). 30% of patients who scored 0 were discharged before postoperative day 7 compared to 0% of those who scored 4 (p = 0.019). Readmission rates for patients who scored 0 and 4 were 12% and 33%, respectively (p = 0.017). Similarly, postoperative pancreatic fistula occurred in 2% versus 25% in these groups (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: A simple scoring system using BMI, operating time, EBL, and pancreatic remnant quality can help risk-stratify postoperative PD patients. Those with lower scores could potentially be managed via an ERAS protocol. Patients with higher scores required longer hospitalizations, and adjunctive therapy such as medication and surgical technique to decrease risk of delayed gastric emptying and pancreatic fistula could be considered.

Comparison of Electronic Frailty Metrics for Prediction of Adverse Outcomes of Abdominal Surgery.

Importance: Electronic frailty metrics have been developed for automated frailty assessment and include the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), the Electronic Frailty Index (eFI), the 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5), and the Risk Analysis Index (RAI). Despite substantial differences in their construction, these 4 electronic frailty metrics have not been rigorously compared within a surgical population. Objective: To characterize the associations between 4 electronic frailty metrics and to measure their predictive value for adverse surgical outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record data from patients who underwent abdominal surgery from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020, at 20 medical centers within Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC). Participants included adults older than 50 years who underwent abdominal surgical procedures at KPNC from 2010 to 2020 that were sampled for reporting to the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Main Outcomes and Measures: Pearson correlation coefficients between electronic frailty metrics and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of univariate models and multivariate preoperative risk models for 30-day mortality, readmission, and morbidity, which was defined as a composite of mortality and major postoperative complications. Results: Within the cohort of 37 186 patients, mean (SD) age, 67.9 (female, 19 127 [51.4%]), correlations between pairs of metrics ranged from 0.19 (95% CI, 0.18- 0.20) for mFI-5 and RAI 0.69 (95% CI, 0.68-0.70). Only 1085 of 37 186 (2.9%) were classified as frail based on all 4 metrics. In univariate models for morbidity, HFRS demonstrated higher predictive discrimination (AUROC, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.70-0.72) than eFI (AUROC, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.63-0.65), mFI-5 (AUROC, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.57-0.59), and RAI (AUROC, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.57-0.58). The predictive discrimination of multivariate models with age, sex, comorbidity burden, and procedure characteristics for all 3 adverse surgical outcomes improved by including HFRS into the models. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, the 4 electronic frailty metrics demonstrated heterogeneous correlation and classified distinct groups of surgical patients as frail. However, HFRS demonstrated the highest predictive value for adverse surgical outcomes.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor: Rationale for Centralization in an Integrated Health Care System.

OBJECTIVES: Given the complex surgical management and infrequency of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, we hypothesized that treatment at a center of excellence improves survival. METHODS: Retrospective review identified 354 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor treated between 2010 and 2018. Four hepatopancreatobiliary centers of excellence were created from 21 hospitals throughout Northern California. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The χ2 test of clinicopathologic factors determined which were predictive for overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Localized disease was seen in 51% of patients, and metastatic disease was seen in 32% of patients with mean OS of 93 and 37 months, respectively (P < 0.001). On multivariate survival analysis, stage, tumor location, and surgical resection were significant for OS (P < 0.001). All stage OS for patients treated at designated centers was 80 and 60 months for noncenters (P < 0.001). Surgery was more common across stages at the centers of excellence versus noncenters at 70% and 40%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are indolent but have malignant potential at any size with management often requiring complex surgeries. We showed survival was improved for patients treated at a center of excellence, where surgery was more frequently utilized.

Centralization of pancreatic cancer treatment within an integrated healthcare system improves overall survival.

BACKGROUND: Higher-volume centers for pancreatic cancer surgeries have been shown to have improved outcomes such as length of stay. We examined how centralization of pancreatic cancer care within a regional integrated healthcare system improves overall survival. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 1621 patients treated for pancreatic cancer from February 2010 to December 2018. Care was consolidated into 4 Centers of Excellence (COE) in surgery, medical oncology, and other specialties. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, Chi-square tests, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed. RESULTS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy use rose from 10% to 31% (p < .001). The median overall survival (OS) improved by 3 months after centralization (p < .001), but this did not reach significance on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in a large integrated healthcare system, centralization improves overall survival and neoadjuvant therapy utilization for pancreatic cancer patients.

Feasibility and Value of Establishing a Community-Based Virtual Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Case Conference.

PURPOSE: Management of soft tissue and bone sarcoma presents many challenges, both diagnostically and therapeutically, and requires multidisciplinary collaboration; however, such collaboration is often challenging to establish, especially in the community setting. We share our experiences of a virtual multidisciplinary sarcoma case conference (VMSCC). METHODS: We conducted retrospective review of the VMSCC data-initially via Webex, now Microsoft Teams-and the surveys of referring physicians to understand the feasibility and value of the VMSCC. RESULTS: The VMSCC was established in March 2013 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California with consistent participation of the Departments of Musculoskeletal Oncology (orthopedic oncology), Musculoskeletal Radiology, Pathology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Surgical Oncology, and Genetics. Pediatric Oncology participated ad hoc when pediatric sarcoma cases were presented. Referrals were from multiple specialties and regions, including the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic and Hawaii regions. From March 2013 to December 2019, 1,585 cases were reviewed encompassing 36 histologic types. More than 300 cases were reviewed per year from 2017 to 2019. Survey results of referring physicians demonstrate that the VMSCC enhanced the confidence of treating physicians, and its recommendations frequently led to treatment changes. CONCLUSION: Establishing a valuable community-based VMSCC is feasible. VMSCC recommendations frequently led to treatment changes and improved the confidence of treating physicians.

HA Filler Injection and Skin Quality-Literature Minireview and Injection Techniques.

Aging of the face produces many changes in the structure and integrity of the skin and other anatomical aspects, the three major signs of which are volume loss, sagginess, and skin quality change. Through surgical or nonsurgical procedures, it is possible to slow or even reverse these mechanisms through artificial means, including thread lifting, radiofrequency, or filler injection. Filler injections are particularly popular in recent years, owing to their convenience, efficacy, and long-lasting results. In this minireview, the author outlines the basic mechanisms behind facial aging, discusses current literature on each aspect of facial aging, and offers injection protocol recommendations based on past literature and clinical experience.

Consensus on Changing Trends, Attitudes, and Concepts of Asian Beauty.

BACKGROUND: Asians increasingly seek non-surgical facial esthetic treatments, especially at younger ages. Published recommendations and clinical evidence mostly reference Western populations, but Asians differ from them in terms of attitudes to beauty, structural facial anatomy, and signs and rates of aging. A thorough knowledge of the key esthetic concerns and requirements for the Asian face is required to strategize appropriate facial esthetic treatments with botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. METHODS: The Asian Facial Aesthetics Expert Consensus Group met to develop consensus statements on concepts of facial beauty, key esthetic concerns, facial anatomy, and aging in Southeastern and Eastern Asians, as a prelude to developing consensus opinions on the cosmetic facial use of botulinum toxin and HA fillers in these populations. RESULTS: Beautiful and esthetically attractive people of all races share similarities in appearance while retaining distinct ethnic features. Asians between the third and sixth decades age well compared with age-matched Caucasians. Younger Asians' increasing requests for injectable treatments to improve facial shape and three-dimensionality often reflect a desire to correct underlying facial structural deficiencies or weaknesses that detract from ideals of facial beauty. CONCLUSIONS: Facial esthetic treatments in Asians are not aimed at Westernization, but rather the optimization of intrinsic Asian ethnic features, or correction of specific underlying structural features that are perceived as deficiencies. Thus, overall facial attractiveness is enhanced while retaining esthetic characteristics of Asian ethnicity. Because Asian patients age differently than Western patients, different management and treatment planning strategies are utilized. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Association of Low Muscle Mass and Low Muscle Radiodensity With Morbidity and Mortality for Colon Cancer Surgery.

Importance: Given the risks of postoperative morbidity and its consequent economic burden and impairment to patients undergoing colon resection, evaluating risk factors associated with complications will allow risk stratification and the targeting of supportive interventions. Evaluation of muscle characteristics is an emerging area for improving preoperative risk stratification. Objective: To examine the associations of muscle characteristics with postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), readmission, and mortality in patients with colon cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1630 patients who received a diagnosis of stage I to III colon cancer from January 2006 to December 2011 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, an integrated health care system. Preliminary data analysis started in 2017. Because major complication data were collected between 2018 and 2019, the final analysis using the current cohort was conducted between 2019 and 2020. Exposures: Low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and/or low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) levels were assessed using preoperative computerized tomography images. Main Outcomes and Measures: Length of stay, any complication (≥1 predefined complications) or major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification score ≥3), 30-day mortality and readmission up to 30 days postdischarge, and overall mortality. Results: The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 64.0 (11.3) years and 906 (55.6%) were women. Patients with low SMI or low SMD were more likely to remain hospitalized 7 days or longer after surgery (odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05-1.68; OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05-1.84, respectively) and had higher risks of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.13-1.74; hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.12-1.85, respectively). Additionally, patients with low SMI were more likely to have 1 or more postsurgical complications (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.65) and had higher risk of 30-day mortality (OR, 4.85; 95% CI, 1.23-19.15). Low SMD was associated with higher odds of having major complications (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.44-4.04). Conclusions and Relevance: Low SMI and low SMD were associated with longer LOS, higher risk of postsurgical complications, and short-term and long-term mortality. Research should evaluate whether targeting potentially modifiable factors preoperatively, such as preserving muscle mass, could reverse the observed negative associations with postoperative outcomes.

Feasibility and Value of Establishing a Community-Based Virtual Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Case Conference.

PURPOSE: Management of soft tissue and bone sarcoma presents many challenges, both diagnostically and therapeutically, and requires multidisciplinary collaboration; however, such collaboration is often challenging to establish, especially in the community setting. We share our experiences of a virtual multidisciplinary sarcoma case conference (VMSCC). METHODS: We conducted retrospective review of the VMSCC data-initially via Webex, now Microsoft Teams-and the surveys of referring physicians to understand the feasibility and value of the VMSCC. RESULTS: The VMSCC was established in March 2013 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California with consistent participation of the Departments of Musculoskeletal Oncology (orthopedic oncology), Musculoskeletal Radiology, Pathology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Surgical Oncology, and Genetics. Pediatric Oncology participated ad hoc when pediatric sarcoma cases were presented. Referrals were from multiple specialties and regions, including the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic and Hawaii regions. From March 2013 to December 2019, 1,585 cases were reviewed encompassing 36 histologic types. More than 300 cases were reviewed per year from 2017 to 2019. Survey results of referring physicians demonstrate that the VMSCC enhanced the confidence of treating physicians, and its recommendations frequently led to treatment changes. CONCLUSION: Establishing a valuable community-based VMSCC is feasible. VMSCC recommendations frequently led to treatment changes and improved the confidence of treating physicians.

Histology of ex vivo skin after treatment with fractionated picosecond Nd:YAG laser in high and low-energy settings.

Background: The fractionated picosecond laser produces microscopic lesions in the epidermis and dermis, which are known as laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) and intra-dermal laser-induced cavitation (LIC). There have been multiple histological reports on these phenomena, although some have been challenged on the grounds of similarity to artifacts. Asian skins, with a higher melanin content, may react differently to this treatment, and present literature is also lacking in this area.Purpose: To observe and report the histological effect of different energy levels and parameters of the fractional 532 nm/1064 nm picosecond laser on Asian skin ex vivo.Methods: Six skin samples were taken from clinically normal-looking perilesional areas and treated with different energy levels and parameters of the fractional 532 nm/1064 nm picosecond laser. The specimens were then sent to the lab for H&E staining, and the slides were reviewed by a dermatopathologist.Results: Superficial, intra-epidermal LIOBs were seen in skin treating at higher laser energies; deep, intra-dermal LICs were seen in skin treated at lower energies. Lesion sizes and depths were consistent with previously reported values on Caucasian skins, and lesions were spaced in 600-µm intervals or its multiple.Conclusions: The histological findings are consistent with results from other ethnicities, and the spacing of lesions is a strong indication of their validity as LIOBs or LICs.