Opioid Prescribing Recommendations After Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Reconstruction: A Delphi Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Prescription opioids play a large role in the opioid epidemic. Even short-term prescriptions provided postoperatively can lead to dependence. OBJECTIVE: To provide opioid prescription recommendations after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and reconstruction. METHODS: This was a multi-institutional Delphi consensus study consisting of a panel of members of the American College of Mohs Surgery from various practice settings. Participants were first asked to describe scenarios in which they prescribe opioids at various frequencies. These scenarios then underwent 2 Delphi ratings rounds that aimed to identify situations in which opioid prescriptions should, or should not, be routinely prescribed. Consensus was set at ≥80% agreement. Prescription recommendations were then distributed to the panelists for feedback and approval. RESULTS: Twenty-three Mohs surgeons participated in the study. There was no scenario in which consensus was met to routinely provide an opioid prescription. However, there were several scenarios in which consensus were met to not routinely prescribe an opioid. CONCLUSION: Opioids should not be routinely prescribed to every patient undergoing MMS. Prescription recommendations for opioids after MMS and reconstruction may decrease the exposure to these drugs and help combat the opioid epidemic.

Efficacy of Single-stage Revision with Aggressive Debridement Using Intra-articular Antibiotics in the Treatment of Infected Joint Prosthesis.

Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) of the hip and knee are uncommon, but result in significant morbidity and mortality when they do occur. Current management consists of a combination of either single- or two-stage exchange of the prosthesis and/or exchange of polymer components with intravenous (IV) antibiotics (4-6 weeks) and intraoperative debridement of the joint prior to reimplantation. However, failure rate, morbidity, and expense associated with current management are high, especially if the infection involves resistant pathogens and/or osteomyelitis. Also, the current use of systemic antibiotics does not allow for high local concentrations of the drug and biofilm penetration of the infected prosthesis. To overcome these difficulties, we examined the outcomes of aggressive operative debridement of the infected prosthesis. This was achieved through the use of a single-stage revision and administration of high concentrations of local intra-articular antibiotics via Hickman catheters. We present 57 patients with PJI who were treated with intra-articular antibiotics and single-stage revisions. Minimal systemic toxicity was observed along with a 100% microbiologic cure rate and 89% without relapse at 11-month follow-up despite isolation of multidrug resistant pathogens. This is the largest study to date using this method in the treatment of PJI.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Patch Testing Beyond the TRUE Test.

Epicutaneous patch testing is the gold standard method for the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. Despite this knowledge, many clinical dermatologists do not offer patch testing in their offices or offer testing with only a limited number of allergens. Introduced in 1995, the Thin-Layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous Test originally contained 23 allergens and one control. In 2007, five additional allergens were added. This United States Food and Drug Administration-approved patch testing system made patch testing more convenient, and after its introduction, more dermatologists offered patch testing services. However, the number of allergens in the Thin-Layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous Test remains relatively low. Every two years, the North American Contact Dermatitis Group collects and reports the data from patch testing among its members to a standardized series of allergens. In 2005-2006, the Group used a series of 65 allergens. Of the top 30 allergens reported in 2005-2006, 10 were not included in the Thin-Layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous Test. Knowledge of and testing for additional allergens such as these may increase patch testing yield.