Tumescent local anesthesia in geriatric patients with head and neck skin cancer - a retrospective study of 782 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Due to frailty, dermatosurgery in the elderly is preferably performed under tumescent local anesthesia, but data is limited. The aim was to evaluate tumescent local anesthesia for skin cancer surgery in the elderly with focus on clinical benefits (treatment processes, pain management) and local postoperative complication risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Investigation of patients ≥ 75 years with inpatient head and neck skin cancer surgery under tumescent local anesthesia. RESULTS: 2,940 procedures in 782 patients (mean age 83.3 years) were performed with the aim of complete tumor resection during the inpatient stay. 3.8 (range: 1-20) interventions were done over an average of 4.9 days (range: 1-28). 43.2% did not require any postoperative analgesia. 53.5% received NSAIDs, 3.3% opioids. Infection (13.6%) was the most common local postoperative complication. Surgical intervention due to bleeding was required in 2.8%. None was hemoglobin relevant or life-threatening. Suture dehiscence and necrosis were rare (0.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Tumescent local anesthesia is an effective method for skin cancer surgery in the elderly. By avoiding general anesthesia, treatment processes can be optimized and anesthesiologic risks minimized. Local postoperative complications are still low and well treatable. The long-lasting analgesia results in a reduced need for analgesics and drug interactions.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for lentigo maligna melanoma under local anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Lentigo maligna melanoma is mainly localized in the head and neck region in elderly patients. Due to its slow horizontal growth, it has a good prognosis compared to other melanoma subtypes, but specific data are rare. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate sentinel lymph node biopsy in lentigo maligna melanoma under local anaesthesia and to discuss the benefit. METHODS: Investigation of patients with lentigo maligna melanoma and tumour thickness ≥1 mm treated at the Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre Tuebingen, between January 2008 and October 2019. RESULTS: In total, 204 patients (126 SLNB, 78 non-SLNB) with a median age of 75.7 years (SLNB: 73.3 years, non-SLNB: 79.7 years) could be included. Sixteen of 126 (12.7%) sentinel lymph nodes were positive. Five-year overall survival was 87.9% (88.5% SLNB; 87.4% non-SLNB) and 5-year distant metastasis-free survival was 85.8% (85.4% SLNB; 86.7% non-SLNB). There was no significant difference for distant metastasis-free survival (p = 0.861) and overall survival (p = 0.247) between patients with and without sentinel lymph node biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy in lentigo maligna melanoma under local anaesthesia is a safe and simple method, even in very old patients. However, LMM has a very good 5-year overall survival. In high-risk patients with high tumour thickness and/or ulceration, adjuvant immunotherapy can now be offered without the need to perform this procedure.

Surgical Therapy of Congenital Nevi in the First Year of Life-Psychological Impact on Parents.

BACKGROUND: The birth of a child with a congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) can lead to distress in the parents. Surgical treatment of CMN can begin in infancy. OBJECTIVES: To provide insight into the perspective of parents of children with CMN regarding their experienced psychological burden and motivation to undergo surgery as well as their satisfaction. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patient data of infants (< 1 year of age), who were surgically treated by power stretching for CMN using subcutaneous infiltration anesthesia (SIA) from 01/01/2020 to 08/31/2021. To evaluate the parent's motivation and psychological burden during the surgical treatment of their child, a questionnaire was designed to interview them in a standardized telephone-based interview. RESULTS: Out of 45 interviewed parents, 62.2% indicated "severe" or "very severe" distress at the time of their child's birth. Distress was mostly reduced by information about diagnosis and treatment (n = 34) and treatment-progress (n = 27). Stigmatization was experienced by 35.6% of parents. 84,5% of parents were highly satisfied with early initiation of surgical therapy. 69% felt "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the outcome of surgery. Motivation for surgical therapy was concern about malignant transformation of the, possible stigmatization of the child due to the nevus, while most of the parents (73.3%) mentioned both. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of CMN by power stretching in SIA in infancy is associated with high levels of satisfaction among the children's parents. Early initiation of surgical therapy and education about the diagnosis can reduce the psychological burden of the parents and can prevent psychosocial problems in affected children.

Influence of perioperative antiplatelet and anticoagulant medication management on bleeding events in dermatosurgery-A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative management of antiplatelet and anticoagulant (AP/AC) therapy is a matter of balancing the risks of bleeding and thromboembolic events. Reliable data for dermatosurgery are still lacking, especially for direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). OBJECTIVES: The aim was to prospectively evaluate the influence of AP/AC-medication on bleeding risk in dermatosurgery with focus on exact intervals between DOAC intake and procedure performed on post-operative bleeding. METHODS: Patients with or without AP/AC-therapy were included in the study without randomization. Exact times of DOAC-intake, procedure performed and post-operative bleeding were documented. Data collection was prospectively and standardized done by one person. RESULTS: We evaluated 1852 procedures in 675 patients. Post-operative bleeding occurred after 15.93% (n = 295) of all procedures, but only a few of them were severe (1.57%, n = 29). Compared to patients without AP/AC-medication, severe post-operative bleeding occurred significantly more often under dual antiplatelet therapy (11.76%, n = 2; p = 0.0166) and bridging of either vitamin K antagonist (9.09%, n = 2; p = 0.0270) or DOAC (15.38%, n = 2; p = 0.0099). There was no significant difference in the frequency of severe bleeding regarding to the preoperative DOAC-free period. CONCLUSIONS: Although AP/AC-therapy is associated with a significant higher rate of post-operative bleeding, no life-threatening bleeding was recorded. Long preoperative pausing or bridging of DOAC does not lead to significantly less severe bleeding events.

[Surgical treatment of nevi in children in a dermatological surgery center : Histopathology and complications]. / Operative Therapie von Nävi bei Kindern in einem dermatochirurgischen Zentrum : Histopathologie und Komplikationen.

BACKGROUND: The indication for surgical management and histological diagnosis of melanocytic nevi in children is a major challenge in clinical routine. In consultations with children and parents, the exclusion of malignant findings, on the one hand, and the risk of complications, on the other hand, are important. PATIENTS AND METHODOLOGY: Included were 946 children under the age of 10 years who underwent surgery with a suspected diagnosis of melanocytic nevus at the University Department of Dermatology, Tübingen, Germany, between 2008 and 2018. Dermatohistopathologic findings and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: A clinical diagnosis of melanocytic nevus was histologically confirmed in 93.2% (882/946) of cases, whereby there were 41 Spitz nevi and 18 pigmented spindle cell tumors. Melanoma was diagnosed in 2 of the children (0.2%). In another 6.6%, non-melanocytic findings (e.g., nevus sebaceous, epidermal nevi) were diagnosed. The complication rate was low at 3%. The most common complication was the occurrence of postoperative wound infection in 1.7%. CONCLUSION: It is possible to take a biopsy or surgically remove congenital nevi of different sizes even in infants. Serial excision of congenital nevi is an important tool for this purpose. In the investigated cohort, the complication rate was low. Histological confirmation is essential in case of clinically suspicious or atypical findings.

[Preoperative marking options]. / Optionen zur präoperativen Markierung.

In dermatosurgery, a large number of operations involve nonsterile preoperative marking and sterile intraoperative marking to define the surgical area. This includes marking of veins and sentinel lymph nodes as well as marking of borders of malignant or benign tumors. Ideally, the markings should be resistant to disinfectant without leaving a permanent tattoo on the skin. For this purpose, a variety of commercial and noncommercial, pre- as well as intraoperative color marking options are available, such as surgical color marking pens, xanthene dyes, autologous patient blood, or permanent markers. The permanent pen is suitable for preoperative marking. It is inexpensive and can be reused. Nonsterile surgical marking pens can also be used for this purpose, but they are more expensive to purchase. Patient blood, sterile surgical marking pens, and eosin are suitable for intraoperative marking. Eosin is inexpensive and has many advantages, such as good skin compatibility. The marking options presented are good alternatives to the use of expensive colored marking pens.

Tumescent local anaesthesia for the surgical therapy of congenital nevi in the first year of life.

BACKGROUND: The indication for surgical treatment of congenital nevi must be made after individual consideration of the expected benefit and risk and requires careful information of the parents as well as interdisciplinary psychological support. In addition to suspected malignancy, a relevant indication is the risk of stigmatization depending on the size and localization of the nevus. Objective was to show which size reduction of the congenital nevus can be achieved by surgical therapy under tumescent local anaesthesia (TLA) in infancy and how often complications of anaesthesia or surgery occur. METHODS: All infants up to 12 months of age who underwent surgery for a congenital nevus under TLA at the University Dermatological Clinic Tuebingen between January 2015 and December 2021 were included; surgeries were performed using serial excisions (powerstretching technique), whereby the incisions were made inside the nevus and mobilization was strictly limited to the skin side without nevus. RESULTS: Overall, a cumulative total area of 38.65 cm2 could be removed on average within the first year of life (trunk: 67 cm2 , head: 21.2 cm2 , legs: 21.6 cm2 , arms: 13.2 cm2 ). A cumulative maximum area reduction of 406.9 cm2 could be achieved. We evaluated 363 surgical sites (123 children) on all body regions. The median age of the children at the first surgery was 3.5 months (0.46-10.7 months). Complications occurred in 2.3% (seven procedures). All these complications were reversible in the course of the operation and did not lead to a prolonged hospital stay. No anaesthesia-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION: We were able to show that a reduction of large areas of congenital nevi is possible in the first year of life with the combination of serial excisions using powerstretching technique, TLA, and intracutaneous butterfly sutures.

Risk analysis of systemic side effects of tumescent local anaesthesia in the surgical treatment of geriatric and multimorbid patients with skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: Due to demographic change and increased UV exposure, the number of dermatosurgical procedures in the elderly is increasing. Data on the occurrence of systemic side effects during and after treatment with tumescent local anaesthesia are limited and do not refer to details such as volume and composition of local anaesthetics or epinephrine additive. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of systemic side effects in elderly patients undergoing skin tumour surgery with tumescent local anaesthesia. METHODS: Investigation of systemic complications in patients (≥75 years) who underwent head and neck skin tumour surgery under tumescent local anaesthesia at the Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre Tübingen, between October 2018 and March 2020. RESULTS: In total 782 patients (479 males, 303 females) with a mean age of 83.3 years (range: 75.1-102.2 years) could be included. A total of 2940 procedures were performed. Patients were assigned to two groups. The old-old group (≥75-84 years) included 491 patients and the oldest-old group (≥85 years) included 291 patients. The total inpatient stay and thus mean follow-up period was 4.9 days (range 1-28 days). 92.0% (719/782) suffered from pre-existing comorbidities. Systemic complications occurred in 10.2% (80/782; old-olds: 8.6%, oldest-olds: 13.1%). Hypertensive crisis (>180/120 mmHg) requiring intervention (6.7%) that occurred intraoperatively or during the inpatient stay was the most frequent systemic complication. Cardiac arrhythmias occurred postoperatively in 0.8% of cases. No life-threatening complications directly related to tumescent local anaesthesia were found. CONCLUSIONS: Skin tumour surgery in tumescent local anaesthesia for the elderly is safe, and complications caused by general anaesthesia can be avoided. Systemic complications can occur, but are usually mild, are caused by pre-existing diseases and perioperative excitement, and can be rapidly detected and well treated by monitoring. There is no direct correlation of complications to high-tumescent concentrations or volume quantities.

Concomitant thrombosis in patients with cellulitis as incidental finding.

BACKGROUND: Although inflammation and thrombosis are tightly connected, only 45% of patients with lower leg cellulitis receive anticoagulant therapy. Available data about the prevalence of concomitant deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with cellulitis of the lower extremity is scarce and general guidelines regarding diagnosis and prevention of venous thromboembolism are missing. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine how frequently DVT occurs as an incidental finding in patients with cellulitis and to provide recommendations for diagnostics and anticoagulant therapy. METHODS: Patients' records were analysed and 192 consecutive patients with cellulitis were included in this study. The prevalence of concomitant DVT was examined by duplex ultrasound, as well as comorbidities and risk factors. RESULTS: We detected thrombosis in 12.0% of the patients with lower leg cellulitis, of which 43.5% were located in a proximal vein and 52.2% in the veins of the calf. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly indicate that cellulitis is not only a differential diagnosis, but should be considered a risk factor for venous thrombosis. Therefore, prophylactic anticoagulation should be considered in patients suffering from cellulitis and a systematic screening for venous thrombosis in patients with cellulitis should be performed.

What causes the death of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma? A prospective analysis in 1400 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a common tumor of elderly Caucasian patients. METHODS: Competing multivariable risk models to analyze different types of cSCC associated death (local infiltration [LI], locoregional [LR], and distant metastases [DM]) in terms of prognostic factors. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 1400 patients were analyzed. In the adjusted multivariable subdistribution hazard approach for tumor volume, the best model for death of cSCC overall revealed the presence of desmoplasia (HR 4.52; p < 0.001), bone invasion (HR 10.06; p < 0.01), and immunosuppression (HR 3.19; p = 0.003) as significant factors. Death due to LI indicated desmoplasia (HR 15.39; p < 0.01) and bone invasion (HR 16.9; p < 0.001) as significant factors. For death by LM, immunosuppression with a HR of 3.27; p = 0.004 was the only significant prognostic factors as well as in death by DM with a HR of 4.54; p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: The three types of death caused by cSCC can be distinguished based on risk factors with different weights. Patients with these factors should be monitored closely.

Modification of Skin Flaps for Single-Stage Reconstruction of the Nasal Ala Using All-Layer Suture: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: After local flaps, it may be necessary to reconstruct the contour of the nasal ala. This is possible with a single-stage all-layer shaping suture. In the present study, the functional and aesthetic results after single-stage reconstruction of the nasal ala were prospectively evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for skin tumors of the nose between 06/2019 and 06/2020 who required reconstruction of the nasal ala as part of the defect closure and had an all-layer suture used were prospectively included in the study. A standardized evaluation of aesthetic and functional outcome was conducted by the patient and a physician at discharge as well as 4 weeks later. Patients additionally underwent a follow-up survey 6 months later. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included in the study. Four weeks postoperatively, all flaps were found to be fully healed and vital. Aesthetic outcome at 4 weeks was rated as very good or good by physicians in 73% and by patients in 78.4%. Persistent complications due to reduced blood flow were not observed. CONCLUSION: The reshaping of the nasal ala as part of the defect reconstruction with an all-layer suture demonstrates very good aesthetic as well as functional results and can be performed in a single-stage procedure. .

[Cosmetic and functional results after resection of cutaneous neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1 : Operation of neurofibroma improves quality of life while having moderate complications]. / Kosmetische und funktionelle Ergebnisse nach Resektion kutaner Neurofibrome bei Neurofibromatose I : Die Operation von Neurofibromen führt zu einer Verbesserung der Lebensqualität bei moderaten Komplikationen.

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 1, also known as Recklinghausen's disease, is a neurocutaneous tumor syndrome that is genetically determined and is associated with infestation of the integument with neurofibromas (nerve sheath tumors). The occurrence of neurofibromas can be very stressful for patients and often contributes to a reduced quality of life for patients, especially if externally visible body parts are affected. The aim of this study is to show to what extent the resection of cutaneous neurofibromas can improve patients' quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, we conducted a retrospective data collection via questionnaire on the quality of life before and after the surgical removal of cutaneous neurofibromas at the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Tübingen. An adapted dermatological quality of life index and a postoperative questionnaire on patient satisfaction were used. In addition, patient data were taken from doctor's notes, surgical reports, and outpatient documentation. A total of 30 patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 who underwent inpatient or outpatient surgery for cutaneous neurofibromas at the Tübingen dermatology hospital between 2016 and 2020 were surveyed. The survey results were statistically analyzed and represented as absolute and relative frequencies. RESULTS: Our study indicates an improved quality of life after surgery for cutaneous neurofibromas, especially regarding limitations in everyday life, self-consciousness, the choice of clothing, and leisure activities. The majority of our patients showed no new occurrence of neurofibromas in the surgical area and postoperative bleeding or wound infections were rare. CONCLUSION: In relation to the high level of satisfaction with the surgical and cosmetic results and also the positive influence on quality of life, our study indicates a favorable risk-benefit ratio for the resection of cutaneous neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis I.

[Postoperative wound care with custom-made wound dressings for hidradenitis suppurativa : Wound care after radical excision with secondary wound closure]. / Postoperative Wundversorgung mit individuell angefertigten Wundauflagen bei Hidradenitis suppurativa : Wundversorgung nach radikaler Exzision mit sekundärem Wundverschluss.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, recurrent, autoinflammatory skin disease of the hair follicle and sebaceous glands in intertriginous skin areas. Treatment is based on clinical severity (typically classified according to Hurley stage). In advanced stages, radical excision of affected skin areas with secondary wound closure remains first-line treatment. Postoperative care in this setting should comprise nonadhesive wound dressings. The purpose of this article is to illustrate postoperative wound care after radical excision with secondary wound closure using nonadhesive, absorbent dressings for economical and effective care.