Pre-operative high-frequency ultrasound: a reliable management tool in auricular and nasal non-melanoma skin cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The knowledge of depth infiltration in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) using pre-operative ultrasound could enable clinicians to choose the most adequate therapeutic approach, avoiding unnecessary surgeries and expensive imaging methods, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Our single-center retrospective study determined the usefulness of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) for depth infiltration assessment in auricular and nasal NMSC and assessed the subsequent change in therapeutic approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 60 NMSC cases, we assessed the accuracy of HFUS in cartilaginous/bone infiltration detection as well as the correlation of sonographic and histological parameters. RESULTS: In 16.6% of cases, a deep cartilaginous/bone involvement or locoregional disease was identified pre-operatively, resulting in a changed therapeutical scheme of radio-immunological treatment rather than surgery. In two cases, pre-operative HFUS identified local cartilage infiltration, reducing the number of surgical procedures. Forty-eight remaining lesions with no depth infiltration were excised; a correlation of > 99% between the histologic and sonographic tumor depth (p<0.001) was found. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-surgical HFUS influences the therapeutic management in NMSC by detecting subclinical involvement of deeper structures, avoiding more extensive diagnostics, reducing costs, and improving healthcare quality. High-frequency ultrasound should be implemented in dermatosurgery before tumor excision for optimized therapy and improved patient counseling.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Depth Infiltration in Melanoma and Non-melanoma Skin Cancer.

The preoperative assessment of infiltration depth in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer by means of high-frequency ultrasound (≥18 MhZ) is essential for optimizing the therapeutic approach in our patients. Often, histologically confirmed skin tumors are directly referred to surgical departments for resection, and sonography is increasingly helping us identify those subjects who are no longer candidates for extensive surgical interventions. In cases of deep tumor infiltration, with potential surgical failure e.g. impairment of the quality of life and significant esthetic and functional complications, preoperative sonography can guide the surgeon to withstand from an operation and decide instead in favor of less mutilating radiooncological or medical treatment options. Furthermore, in melanoma patients, the preoperative knowledge of the tumor depth is essential for the determination of the therapeutic approach, the correct safety margins and the need of a sentinelnode biopsy. We herein encourage the use of preoperative sonography in dermatologic surgery whenever possible as it represents an easy, painless, "in vivo" method, which provides clinicians with significant clinical information that can influence the therapy and improve patient compliance.

Retrospective Analysis of Complication Rates Associated With Auricular Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data regarding postoperative complications after microtia surgery or tympanoplasty; however, complication rates after pinna reconstruction following tumor resection and comorbidities associated with suboptimal outcomes have not been investigated so far. OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of postoperative complications after auricular reconstruction surgery following tumor resection and determine the association between postoperative complications and defect size, patients' comorbidities, and reconstruction type. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a retrospective case series (n = 146, January 2014 to October 2018), we examined the surgical outcome and amount of postoperative complications following auricular surgery as well as the association with different comorbidities. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The following early postoperative complications were identified: pain (29.5%), hematoma (4.1%), flap congestion (4.8%), infection (3.4%), and flap/graft necrosis (2.7%). Late complications including cartilage step-offs, helical rim sulcus alteration, granulomas, or ear deformities occurred only in 3.6% of subjects. Reconstructions of large defects (>1 cm2) were associated with a higher incidence of early postoperative complications compared to small defects (<1 cm2) (P < .001). Neither the presence of smoking or diabetes nor immunosuppression was significantly linked to an increased incidence of early complications. Immunosuppression, however, was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative infection (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of early and late postoperative complications after skin tumor resection and external ear reconstruction is low. The occurrence of postoperative infection was not linked with smoking or the presence of diabetes, but strongly associated with a state of immunosuppression, which is why a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in immune-compromised patients may be considered.

Chirurgische Versorgung von Hautkrebs und Trauma im mittleren Drittel der Ohrmuschel.

Die Hauptursachen erworbener Ohrmuscheldefekte sind chirurgische Behandlung von Hauttumoren und Traumata. Wegen der komplexen Anatomie des Außenohrs ist die chirurgische Rekonstruktion von Defekten in dieser Region für Operateure herausfordernd, insbesondere wenn die mittlere Helix und Anthelix von größeren Weichteil- und Knorpelverlusten betroffen sind. Wir stellen hier die wichtigsten Techniken zur Rekonstruktion großer Defekte der mittleren Helix und Anthelix sowie die Vor- und Nachteile jedes chirurgischen Verfahrens vor. Bei älteren, multimorbiden Patienten werden meist einstufige Verfahren mit primärem Verschluss/Keilexzision angewandt; es können aber auch mehrere komplexe chondrokutane, retroaurikuläre, temporoparietale Vollhautlappen-Verfahren durchgeführt werden, um ein normal aussehendes Ohr zu rekonstruieren. Die aurikuläre Rekonstruktion großer Defekte der mittleren Helix-Anthelix Region erfordert gute Kenntnisse der Ohrmuschel-Anatomie und der verschiedenen chirurgischen Verfahren zur Korrektur solcher Defekte.

Surgical management of skin cancer and trauma involving the middle third of the auricle.

The main causes of acquired auricular defects are surgical treatment of skin tumors and trauma. Due to the complex anatomy of the external ear, surgical reconstruction of defects in this area is challenging for surgeons, especially in case of midhelix-antihelix involvement with significant loss of soft tissue and cartilage. Our purpose is to illustrate the main reconstructive techniques of large midhelix and antihelix defects, as well as the advantages or disadvantages associated with each surgical procedure. Primary closure/wedge technique is mainly used in elderly, multimorbid subjects where single-stage procedures are desirable, but several complex chondrocutaneous, retroauricular, temporoparietal full-thickness flap procedures can also be used to recreate an ear with normal appearance. Auricular reconstruction of large midhelix-antihelix defects requires a good knowledge of auricular anatomy and the various surgical procedures available for such defects.

Dermatochirurgie bei Kindern: Gegenwärtiger Stand zu Indikation, Anästhesie, Analgesie und potentiellen perioperativen Komplikationen.

HINTERGRUND: Anders als Erwachsene benötigen Kinder bei dermatochirurgischen Eingriffen besondere Aufmerksamkeit; die Anwendung verschiedener Analgetika, Anästhetika oder Sedativa erfordert eine gründliche Kenntnis von Pharmakokinetik und -dynamik der Medikamente. Außerdem können Medikamente zur Sedierung/Allgemeinanästhesie bei operierten Kindern zu Anästhesie- oder Analgesie-bedingten Komplikationen einschließlich Störungen der geistigen Entwicklung führen. ZIEL: Auf Basis unserer klinischen Erfahrung und einer Literaturübersicht stellen wir die gängigsten in der pädiatrischen Dermatochirurgie verwendeten Analgetika, Anästhetika und Sedativa dar und diskutieren Risiken und Komplikationen nach dermatochirurgischen Eingriffen. ERGEBNISSE: Topische Anästhetika können bei Kindern für oberflächliche dermatologische Eingriffe oder vor einer Infiltrationsanästhesie eingesetzt werden. Die Berechnung der empfohlenen Maximaldosen auf Basis des Körpergewichts ist erforderlich, um eine Überdosierung von Lokalanästhetika zu vermeiden. Die Allgemeinanästhesie gilt bei der Dermatochirurgie als sicher und hat eine geringe Nebenwirkungsrate. Allerdings ist bei Kindern im ersten Lebensjahr aufgrund potentieller langfristiger neurologischer Nebenwirkungen Vorsicht angebracht. NSAR und Opioide spielen bei der Analgesie von Kindern eine bedeutende Rolle. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Dieser Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über die derzeit verfügbaren Daten zu Analgesie, Anästhesie und Komplikationen, die im Rahmen der pädiatrischen Dermatochirurgie auftreten können. Diese Daten können dabei helfen, die Sicherheit und Qualität der Versorgung zu optimieren und die Beratung der Eltern zu verbessern.

Dermatologic surgery in children: an update on indication, anesthesia, analgesia and potential perioperative complications.

BACKGROUND: Children undergoing dermatosurgical procedures require, unlike adults, particular attention; the administration of various analgesics, anesthetics or sedatives requires a thorough knowledge of drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, there are concerns that drugs used for sedation/general anesthesia may result in anesthetic/analgesic complications in children undergoing surgery, with a risk of impaired mental development. OBJECTIVES: Based on our clinical experience and a literature review, we illustrate the most commonly used analgesic, anesthetic and sedative drugs in pediatric dermatosurgery, and identify risk factors and complications following dermatosurgical procedures. RESULTS: Topical anesthetics can be used in children for superficial dermatologic procedures or prior to infiltration anesthesia. Maximum recommended doses based on body weight should be calculated in order to avoid overdosage of local anesthetics. General anesthesia in dermatosurgery is considered safe and has a low rate of side effects. However, caution is advised in children under the age of one due to potential long-term neurological side-effects. NSAIDs and opioids play a significant role in analgesia for children. CONCLUSIONS: This article reviews currently available data on analgesia, anesthesia and complications that may arise in pediatric dermatosurgery. These data may be useful in optimizing the safety and quality of care and in improving parent counseling.