The Teledermatology Experience: Cost Savings and Image Quality Control.

Introduction: Teledermatology adoption continues to increase, in part, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the utility and cost savings of a store-and-forward teledermatology consultative system within the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Methods: Retrospective cohort of 4,493 patients across 14 remote sites in Tennessee and Kentucky from May 2017 through August 2019. The study measured the agreement between the teledermatology diagnoses and follow-up face-to-face clinic evaluations as well as the cost effectiveness of the teledermatology program over the study period. Results: Fifty-four percent of patients were recommended for face-to-face appointment for biopsy or further evaluation. Most patients, 80.5% received their face-to-face care by a VA dermatologist. There was a high level of concordance between teledermatologist and clinic dermatologist for pre-malignant and malignant cutaneous conditions. Veterans were seen faster at a VA clinic compared with a community dermatology site. Image quality improved as photographers incorporated teledermatologist feedback. From a cost perspective, teledermatology saved the VA system $1,076,000 in community care costs. Discussion: Teledermatology is a useful diagnostic tool within the VA system providing Veteran care at a cost savings.

Coworker Reports about Unprofessional Behavior in Plastic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patient reports of unprofessional conduct by surgeons have been linked to postprocedure complications and increased risk for malpractice claims. Coworkers are also positioned to observe and report unprofessional behaviors, including concerns related to delivery of competent medical care, clear and respectful communication, integrity, and responsibility. This study compared rates of coworker concerns between plastic surgeons and other physicians (other surgical specialists and nonsurgeons), and characterized whether plastic surgery subspecialties differed in their rates of complaints. METHODS: Coworker concern data from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019, were retrieved from the Vanderbilt Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy's Coworker Observation Reporting System database. Specialty was classified as plastic surgery, non-plastic surgical, and nonsurgical. The plastic surgery cohort was further characterized by sex, medical school graduation year, predominant practice type (reconstructive only, aesthetic only, or hybrid), and postresidency training (ie, completion of a fellowship). RESULTS: The study cohort included 34,170 physicians (302 plastic surgeons, 7593 non-plastic surgeons, and 26,275 nonsurgeons). A greater proportion of plastic surgeons (13.6%) had one or more coworker concerns compared with nonsurgeons (10.8%) and non-plastic surgeons (6.1%) ( P < 0.001). The most prevalent concern category reported for plastic surgeons was clear and respectful communication. Among plastic surgeons who had no concerns versus those who had at least one concern, there was no significant difference when comparing sex, medical school graduation year, predominant practice type, or postresidency training. CONCLUSIONS: Plastic surgeons in this cohort study received more coworker reports than other surgeons and nonsurgical physicians. These data may be used by institutions to identify plastic surgeons at risk for preventable postprocedure complications and intervene with peer feedback intended to promote self-regulation.

Real-world outcomes with ipilimumab and nivolumab in advanced melanoma: a multicentre retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess efficacy and toxicity of combination immunotherapy with ipilimumab plus nivolumab in routine practice in a retrospective multicentre cohort of patients with advanced melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included patients with advanced melanoma treated with ipilimumab and nivolumab between October 2015 and January 2020 at six centres in Australia, Europe and the United States of America. We describe efficacy outcomes (overall survival [OS], progression-free survival [PFS] and objective response rate [ORR]) in treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients, with and without brain metastases, plus treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) in all patients treated. RESULTS: A total of 697 patients were identified; 472 were treatment-naïve of which 138 (29.2%) had brain metastases, and 225 were previously treated of which 102 (45.3%) had brain metastases. At baseline, 32.3% had stage M1c and 34.4% stage M1d disease. Lactate dehydrogenase was high in 280 patients (40.2%). With a median follow-up of 25.9 months, median OS in the 334 treatment-naïve patients without brain metastases was 53.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 40.8-NR) and 38.7 months (95% CI 18.6-NR) for the 138 treatment-naïve patients with brain metastases. For the entire cohort the ORR was 48%, for treatment-naïve patients without brain metastases ORR was 56.6% with a median PFS of was 13.7 months (95% CI 9.6-26.5). Median PFS was 7.9 months (95% CI 5.8-10.4) and OS 38 months (95% CI 31-NR) for the entire cohort. Grade 3-4 trAE were reported in 44% of patients, and 4 (0.7%) treatment-related deaths (1 pneumonitis, 2 myocarditis and 1 colitis) were recorded. CONCLUSION: The outcome and toxicity of combination immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab in a real-world patient population are similar to those reported in pivotal trials.

Association of Leukocyte Adhesion and Rolling in Skin With Patient Outcomes After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Using Noninvasive Reflectance Confocal Videomicroscopy.

Importance: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potential cure for hematologic cancer but is associated with a risk of relapse and death. Dynamic biomarkers to predict relapse and inform treatment decisions after HCT are a major unmet clinical need. Objective: To identify a quantitative characteristic of leukocyte-endothelial interactions after HCT and test its associations with patient outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this prospective single-center cohort study from June 2017 to January 2020, patients of any age, sex, race, and ethnicity who had HCT for hematologic cancer were referred by health care professionals as either suspected of having symptoms or not having symptoms of acute graft-vs-host disease between 25 and 161 days after HCT. Patients underwent noninvasive skin videomicroscopy. Videos of dermal microvascular flow were recorded with a reflectance confocal microscope. Two blinded observers (J.R.P. and Z.Z.) counted leukocytes adherent to and rolling along the vessel wall per hour (A&R). Of 57 enrolled patients, 1 relapsed before imaging and was excluded, resulting in 56 patients included in analyses. Main Outcomes and Measures: Relapse of cancer, relapse-free survival, and overall survival. Results: Among the 56 patients (median age, 59 years; 38 [68%] male) who underwent imaging a median of 40 days after HCT, 21 had high A&R and 35 had low A&R. After correcting for the revised Disease Risk Index, patients with high A&R had higher rates of relapse (hazard ratio [HR], 4.24; 95% CI, 1.32-13.58; P = .02), reduced relapse-free survival (HR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.26-8.55; P = .02), and reduced overall survival (HR, 3.06, 95% CI, 1.02-9.19; P = .05). These associations were preserved after correcting for possible confounders, steroid treatment, and acute graft-vs-host disease status. In the prognostic adequacy calculation by using Cox models, the new imaging biomarker (A&R) accounted for 82% to 95% of the prognostic information to predict each outcome. By contrast, the best existing clinical predictor routinely available, the revised Disease Risk Index, accounted for 10% to 28% of the prognostic information in the same model. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, leukocyte-endothelial interactions, visualized directly in skin after HCT, were associated with the patient outcomes of relapse, relapse-free survival, and overall survival. Assessing this dynamic marker could help patients at high risk for relapse who may benefit from interventions, such as early withdrawal of immunosuppression.

Anatomic Comparison of Recipient Nerves for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Neurotization: A Randomized Control Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Although neurotization has the potential to improve sensory outcomes after autologous breast reconstruction, this technique remains controversial. There is debate regarding the clinical outcomes and the recipient nerve of choice. This histoanatomical study aims to quantitatively compare the sensory components of the recipient nerves involved in neurotization of the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. METHODS: Subjects undergoing bilateral autologous breast reconstruction were enrolled. Transected nerve specimens underwent immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against neurofilament 1 and choline acetyltransferase for total and motor neurons within the axons, respectively. Photomicrographs were captured, and axons were analyzed using ImageJ. Sensory axons were calculated as equal to the difference between the total and cholinergic axonal counts. RESULTS: Thirty-eight nerves from 19 subjects were included. The overall mean sensory axon count was 1246.3 (±1171.9) in the lateral cutaneous branch (LCB) of the fourth intercostal nerve and 1123.8 (±1213.0) in the anterior cutaneous branch (ACB) of the third intercostal nerve.The fourth LCB presented with an additional 10.9% sensory axonal count (P > 0.05). On average, sensory fibers constituted 36.7% and 31.7% of all fibers in the third ACBs and fourth LCBs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides anatomic and histological evidence that the fourth LCB and third ACB contain comparable mean numbers of sensory axons. Both constitute adequate recipient nerves for coaptation in deep inferior epigastric perforator reinnervation to achieve optimal sensory return after breast reconstruction. The fourth LCB should be preferable when the third ACB remains intact to preserve any native breast flap sensation.

A Roadmap to Implementing Venous Thromboembolism Risk Stratification and Mitigation.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening postoperative complication that carries high morbidity and mortality for plastic surgery patients. In 2011, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommended the adoption of a VTE risk stratification and mitigation; however, successful implementation of VTE prophylaxis protocols has not been well described. To address and reduce the VTE burden at our academic center, a risk assessment protocol was implemented for patients undergoing outpatient plastic surgery procedures. METHOD: All patients who received outpatient plastic surgery between August 2018 and July 2019 were eligible for the VTE modified Caprini risk assessment screening. Sampling of practice patterns was done by chart review from the first week of each month. The study was divided into 3 phases to assess the relationship of screening compliance rates with each protocol change. Compliance was defined as completion of VTE Caprini screening with documentation in patients' charts. RESULTS: Over the 12-month study period, 277 patients met the inclusion criteria. From August to November 2018 (phase 1), patients were screened at the initial clinic visit with an average compliance rate of 11.1%. In December 2018 (phase 2), patients were screened on the day of surgery, with an average compliance rate of 47.1%. From January to July 2019 (phase 3), surgeons recorded the numerical Caprini score into the patient's electronic medical record with a subsequent compliance rate of 61.3%. The overall compliance during the 12 months was 44.8%. The median calculated Caprini score for this population was 4 (range, 1-7). CONCLUSIONS: Standardization of VTE risk assessment is vital for patient safety and outcomes. Successful implementation and long-term protocol sustainability are not a simple goal. In this study, protocol compliance greatly improved after tailoring the guidelines to the specific institutional needs and workflow. These results reinforce the importance of continuous protocol review and modification to ensure optimal departmental buy-in and sustainability.

Intralesional corticosteroid injections are less painful without local anesthetic: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid injections are a commonly used treatment for dermatologic pathologies. Although the injectable is often prepared with a local anesthetic, we hypothesize that patients receiving an injection with anesthetic will experience no decrease in pain at the time of injection. METHODS: Patients requiring a corticosteroid injection were prospectively randomized into two cohorts to receive a corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetonide) combined with either lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100 000 (anesthetic) or bacteriostatic normal saline. Both patient and clinician were blinded to the treatment arm. The primary outcome was pain associated with the injection measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) immediately following the injection. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled with 18 in the saline group and 13 in the lidocaine with epinephrine group. Pain scores were significantly higher for injections containing lidocaine with epinephrine versus saline (VAS 5.0 vs 2.0, p = .0056). CONCLUSIONS: For various dermatologic pathologies, corticosteroid injections are effective and have relatively little associated pain. Counterintuitively, we found that there is more injection-associated pain when lidocaine with epinephrine is included with the corticosteroid. Therefore, clinicians should omit this anesthetic or dilute corticosteroids with normal saline, rather than with lidocaine and epinephrine. This will minimize injection pain as well as decrease the risk of pharmacologic adverse reactions from an unnecessary additional medication. Due to the small sample size, additional research may be necessary for generalization to other indications. Clinicaltrials.gov listing: NCT03630198.

Supraorbital Neuralgia Associated With Thyroid Eye Disease.

PURPOSE: To identify the relationship between thyroid eye disease (TED) and supraorbital neuralgia (SON) and establish a reliable approach to the diagnosis and management of TED-associated SON. METHODS: This retrospective study included 1,126 patients. Demographics, active and inactive phase status and duration, and reactivation rate were noted. TED clinical activity was determined using the vision, inflammation, strabismus, and appearance assessment system, and TED severity was classified using the European Group of Graves' Orbitopathy system. Subtypes of periorbital pain were identified, and suspected SON was confirmed by supraorbital nerve block. RESULTS: Of the study's 1,126 patients, 935 (83%) were deemed "active" at some point during the follow up and 34 (3%) remained "active" at the study's conclusion. Of the 2,251 eyes studied, 1,193 (53%) underwent orbital decompression. Of the 1,126 patients, 946 (84%) reported a retrobulbar "pressure" or "aching," but a distinct, more debilitating pain suggestive of SON was reported in 91 (8%). All 91 patients were given a supraorbital nerve block, and all had complete pain resolution lasting from hours to weeks. Eighty-eight (97%) of the 91 patients with SON-type pain underwent orbital decompression compared to 496 (48%) of the 1,035 without SON-type pain (p < 0.00001). A difference was found in the rate of TED reactivation between those with SON-type symptoms (8%) as compared to those without (2%), p = 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: SON of uncertain etiology appears to be a previously underreported but significant pain associated with TED. Paradoxically, although the SON does not appear to be related to the type or severity of TED on standard rating scales, the presence of SON was found to be associated with increased likelihood of both orbital decompression and TED reactivation.

Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Immunotherapy Response in Patients with Advanced Melanoma.

PURPOSE: Several biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) show potential but are not yet scalable to the clinic. We developed a pipeline that integrates deep learning on histology specimens with clinical data to predict ICI response in advanced melanoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used a training cohort from New York University (New York, NY) and a validation cohort from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). We built a multivariable classifier that integrates neural network predictions with clinical data. A ROC curve was generated and the optimal threshold was used to stratify patients as high versus low risk for progression. Kaplan-Meier curves compared progression-free survival (PFS) between the groups. The classifier was validated on two slide scanners (Aperio AT2 and Leica SCN400). RESULTS: The multivariable classifier predicted response with AUC 0.800 on images from the Aperio AT2 and AUC 0.805 on images from the Leica SCN400. The classifier accurately stratified patients into high versus low risk for disease progression. Vanderbilt patients classified as high risk for progression had significantly worse PFS than those classified as low risk (P = 0.02 for the Aperio AT2; P = 0.03 for the Leica SCN400). CONCLUSIONS: Histology slides and patients' clinicodemographic characteristics are readily available through standard of care and have the potential to predict ICI treatment outcomes. With prospective validation, we believe our approach has potential for integration into clinical practice.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicities: systems-based approaches to improve patient care and research.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have now been approved in numerous and diverse cancer types and combination regimens. Effective recognition and treatment of ICI toxicities, which might occur acutely, affect any organ system, and produce many distinct clinical syndromes, have emerged as essential goals of ICI management. Thus, developing robust diagnostic and management approaches for ICI toxicity across the health-care system is an urgent and unmet clinical need. In this Personal View, we describe barriers to high-quality care that have constrained the most effective management of patients with cancer receiving ICI treatment. We review education initiatives to enhance patient and physician awareness, which is necessary given the broad spectrum of ICI toxicities often experienced by patients, and assess various systems-based approaches that maximise the chances of appropriate management. In addition, we describe research pipelines that broaden evidence-based approaches and the pathobiology of these novel events. Developing effective, systematic approaches for the recognition and treatment of ICI toxicities will continue to grow in importance as these agents proliferate in cancer care.

Outcomes after progression of disease with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy for patients with advanced melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Greater than one-half of patients with melanoma who are treated with antibodies blocking programmed cell death protein 1 receptor (anti-PD-1) experience disease progression. The objective of the current study was to identify prognostic factors and outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma that progressed while they were receiving anti-PD-1 therapy. METHODS: The authors evaluated 383 consecutively treated patients who received anti-PD-1 for advanced melanoma between 2009 and 2019. Patient and disease characteristics at baseline and at the time of progression, subsequent therapies, objective response rate (ORR), overall survival, and progression-free survival were assessed. RESULTS: Of 383 patients, 247 experienced disease progression. The median survival after progression was 6.8 months. There was no difference in survival noted after disease progression based on primary tumor subtype, receipt of prior therapy, or therapy type. However, significantly improved survival after disease progression correlated with clinical features at the time of progression, including normal lactate dehydrogenase, more favorable metastatic stage (American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition stage IV M1a vs M1b, M1c, or M1d), mutation status (NRAS or treatment-naive BRAF V600 vs BRAF/NRAS wild-type or treatment-experienced BRAF-mutant), decreasing tumor bulk, and progression at solely existing lesions. After progression, approximately 54.3% of patients received additional systemic therapy. A total of 41 patients received BRAF/MEK inhibition (ORR of 58.6%, including 70.4% for BRAF/MEK-naive patients), 30 patients received ipilimumab (ORR of 0%), and 11 patients received ipilimumab plus nivolumab (ORR of 27.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified prognostic factors in advanced melanoma for patients who experienced disease progression while receiving anti-PD-1, including lactate dehydrogenase, stage of disease, site of disease progression, tumor size, and mutation status.

Risk Factors for Intraoperative and Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Sellar Surgery.

Objective To determine the factors associated with intra- and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in setting of endoscopic transsphenoidal sellar surgery. Study Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods This study included 806 patients who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal sellar surgery between 2004 and 2016. The associations between CSF leaks (intra- and postoperative) and patient demographics, medical history, tumor characteristics, and intraoperative repair techniques were analyzed. Results In sum, 205 (25.4%) patients had a CSF leak: 188 (23.3%) intraoperative leaks and 38 (4.7%) postoperative leaks. Twenty-one (2.6%) patients had postoperative leaks after having repair of an intraoperative leak; 55% of patients with a postoperative leak had an intraoperative leak repaired. On multivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI), hydrocephalus, suprasellar extension, and craniopharyngioma significantly predicted intraoperative CSF leaks, while only BMI and hydrocephalus predicted postoperative CSF leaks. Patients having septal flap repairs of CSF leaks had a higher postoperative leak rate relative to other repair techniques (odds ratio, 6.37; P = .013). Rigid reconstruction did not correlate with leaks. Conclusion For this large cohort of patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal sellar surgery, BMI and hydrocephalus were identified as predictors of postoperative CSF leaks, including those occurring after repair of intraoperative leak. These variables may put stress on the surgical repair of sellar defects, and consideration of these risk factors may help counsel patients and guide perioperative decision making in regard to repair strategies and CSF diversion techniques.

Traumatic optic neuropathy and second optic nerve injuries.

IMPORTANCE: Current controversy about the primary treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) has anchored on final vision following injury, but, to our knowledge, no study has examined the effect of different treatments on regaining and protecting optic nerve reserve or on the outcome of second optic nerve injuries. OBJECTIVE: To assess vision improvement in patients treated by various methods who have a second incidence of TON. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective medical record review of 12 patients with a second TON seen in an 18-year period (mean follow-up, 11.3 months) at a single tertiary care oculoplastic practice. INTERVENTIONS: Observation, high-dose corticosteroids, optic nerve decompression, or high-dose corticosteroids plus optic nerve decompression. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Change in vision on the Snellen eye chart. RESULTS All second TON events involved the same-side optic nerve as initially injured, and with observation alone, corticosteroids, or corticosteroids and partial optic canal decompression, all patients had vision improvement after their initial injury (P = .004). However, following the second optic nerve injury, most patients' vision fell to the pretreatment level of the first injury, and subsequent management of the second injury with corticosteroids and/or optic canal decompression provided little or no vision return (P = .05). In contrast, optic canal decompressions performed for 91 primary TON injuries resulted in 82.4% having some degree of vision improvement. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Patients with TON may have a second optic nerve insult, and vision recovery from the second event may be limited regardless of primary treatment choice.

Effect of dietary zinc and phytase supplementation on botulinum toxin treatments.

PURPOSE: To determine whether oral zinc supplementation might affect the efficacy and duration of botulinum toxin treatments. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study, we examined the efficacy of three botulinum toxin preparations (onabotulinumtoxinA, abobotulinumtoxinA, and rimabotulinumtoxinB) following oral supplementation with zinc citrate 50 mg and phytase 3,000 PU, zinc gluconate 10 mg, or lactulose placebo in individuals treated for cosmetic facial rhytids, benign essential blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasm. RESULTS: In seventy-seven patients, 92% of subjects supplemented with zinc 50 mg and phytase experienced an average increase in toxin effect duration of nearly 30%, and 84% of participants reported a subjective increase in toxin effect, whereas no significant increase in duration or effect was reported by patients following supplementation with lactulose placebo or 10 mg of zinc gluconate. The dramatic impact of the zinc/phytase supplementation on some patients' lives clinically unmasked the study and prompted an early termination. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a potentially meaningful role for zinc and/or phytase supplementation in increasing the degree and duration of botulinum toxin effect in the treatment of cosmetic facial rhytids, benign essential blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasm.

Primary optic nerve sheath meningioma in children.

Primary optic nerve sheath meningioma represents a proliferation of meningothelial cap cells of the arachnoid villi within the optic nerve sheath. Patients younger than 20 years of age make up less than 5% of all cases of pediatric primary optic nerve meningiomas. Histopathologically, the most common subtypes in children are transitional (54%) and meningotheliomatous (38%). This tumor has been called aggressive in the pediatric population, with surgical excision recommended. However, the tumor may spread intraorbitally, intracranially, or intraocularly after subtotal surgical resection. Recent studies examined the use of fractionated, stereotactic radiation in children with this tumor; however, follow-up is limited. Neurofibromatosis type 2 is concomitantly diagnosed in 28% of patients with pediatric primary optic nerve sheath meningioma. There have been no known deaths attributed primarily to this tumor.

The eye examination in facial trauma for the plastic surgeon.

Fifteen to 20 percent of patients with major facial trauma suffer vision-threatening injuries. Not only does the early identification and management of such ophthalmic insults frequently carry a better visual prognosis, but manipulations during facial fracture repair may exacerbate unrecognized eye trauma. In addition, ophthalmic problems not documented before facial reconstruction may be interpreted as direct complications of surgery. Thus, all physicians who treat patients with trauma above the mandible should appreciate the fundamentals of ophthalmic evaluation and emergency management. This article strives to provide a simplified, practical guide, but it should not be viewed as a substitute for consultation by a qualified eye care provider when an ocular injury is strongly suspected.