Management of androgenic alopecia: a systematic review of the literature.

We aimed to determine the efficacy of the various available oral, topical, and procedural treatment options for hair loss in individuals with androgenic alopecia. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic review of the National Library of Medicine was performed. Overall, 141 unique studies met our inclusion criteria. We demonstrate that many over the counter (e.g. topical minoxidil, supplements, low-level light treatment), prescription (e.g. oral minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride), and procedural (e.g. platelet-rich plasma, fractionated lasers, hair transplantation) treatments successfully promote hair growth, highlighting the superiority of a multifaceted and individualized approach to management.

Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is a common condition, with severe attendant psychosocial implications, and for which it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory degree of clinical improvement. OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible clinical benefit of injecting platelet-derived growth factors into the scalp of patients using a specific autologous blood concentrate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two injections of a leukocyte platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) with the addition of concentrated plasmatic proteins were administered at baseline and after 3 months (single spin at baseline and double-spin centrifugation at 3 months). Macrophotographs were taken at baseline and after 6 months, and 2 independent evaluators rated them using Jaeschke rating of clinical change. RESULTS: Sixty-four consecutive patients were enrolled. Some improvement was seen in all patients by 1 evaluator and in 62 by the other. The mean change in clinical rating was 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-3.5) and 3.9 (95% CI, 3.5-4.3), and the proportion of patients reaching a clinically important difference was 40.6% and 54.7%, according to the 2 evaluators, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study may provide preliminary evidence that this treatment may induce some degree of clinical advantage for male- and female-pattern baldness. This may warrant the design of randomized controlled clinical trials to formally test this procedure.

Experimental observations of channel reciprocity in single-mode free-space optical links.

This article describes observations made during a recent series of single-mode lasercom experiments in which high-rate data transmission was demonstrated between a small aircraft and a ground station separated by distances up to 80 km. A significant result of the subsequent data analysis was the discovery of near-unity correlations between the signal fluctuations observed by power monitors at the two ends of the link. This evidence of reciprocity is presented, along with the description of a preliminary concept for utilizing this channel state information to improve link performance.

Trends in COVID-19 Risk-Adjusted Mortality Rates.

Early reports showed high mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mortality rates have recently been lower, raising hope that treatments have improved. However, patients are also now younger, with fewer comorbidities. We explored whether hospital mortality was associated with changing demographics at a 3-hospital academic health system in New York. We examined in-hospital mortality or discharge to hospice from March through August 2020, adjusted for demographic and clinical factors, including comorbidities, admission vital signs, and laboratory results. Among 5,121 hospitalizations, adjusted mortality dropped from 25.6% (95% CI, 23.2-28.1) in March to 7.6% (95% CI, 2.5-17.8) in August. The standardized mortality ratio dropped from 1.26 (95% CI, 1.15-1.39) in March to 0.38 (95% CI, 0.12-0.88) in August, at which time the average probability of death (average marginal effect) was 18.2 percentage points lower than in March. Data from one health system suggest that mortality from COVID-19 is decreasing even after accounting for patient characteristics.

Comparison of treatment of melomental fold rhytides with cross-linked hyaluronic acid combined with onabotulinumtoxina and cross-linked hyaluronic acid alone.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid and onabotulinumtoxinA combination therapy has been shown to have greater clinical effectiveness than hyaluronic acid alone for glabellar furrowing, but this is not well documented for melomental fold rhytides. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of intradermal cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) and onabotulinumtoxinA combination therapy with the efficacy of cross-linked HA monotherapy in patients with melomental fold rhytides. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-two patients received combination therapy to a melomental fold area while also receiving cross-linked HA and a placebo saline injection to the contralateral side. Blinded physician evaluators and patient self-evaluators clinically and photographically assessed responses during standard intervals over 12 months. RESULTS: The melomental folds treated with combination therapy had significantly greater aesthetic improvement than the monotherapy-treated side at 2 weeks and 1 month upon physician photographic review. Furthermore, the median time for return to pretreatment rhytides was 6.5 weeks longer in the combination therapy side. Patient assessment also revealed improvement over baseline for the combination therapy at 1 month. CONCLUSION: Cross-linked HA and onabotulinumtoxinA combination therapy to melomental fold rhytides may provide better overall aesthetic results and longer duration of aesthetic improvement than cross-linked HA monotherapy.

Are adrenal injuries predictive of adrenal insufficiency in patients sustaining blunt trauma?

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is an uncommon life-threatening development in trauma patients. The aim of this study was to determine if adrenal injury sustained during blunt trauma is associated with an increased risk of AI. A single-institution retrospective cohort review was performed over a 3-year period on all patients with blunt trauma requiring intensive care admission and mechanical ventilation for longer than 24 hours. Adrenal injuries were identified on admission CT scan. All patients with AI were identified as noted by practice management guidelines. Patients were stratified by Injury Severity Score (ISS) as less than 16, 16 to 25, and greater than 25 and relative risks were calculated. Multiple logistic regression was performed using age, race, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale, ISS, length of hospitalization, and adrenal injury as covariates with AI as the outcome of interest. A secondary analysis was then performed with adrenal injury classified as bilateral versus unilateral or no adrenal injury and relative risks were calculated for ISS strata. A total of 2072 patients were identified with 71 developing AI. Adrenal injuries were noted in 113 patients with eight subsequently developing AI. Multiple logistic regression model (P < 0.01) showed that age (P < 0.01) and increasing ISS (P = 0.02) were predictive of AI. Adrenal injury was not an independent predictor of AI (P = 0.12). After controlling for age and ISS, adrenal injury was not an independent predictor of the development of AI. Adrenal insufficiency should be considered with increasing injury severity and age in the intensive care setting after blunt trauma.

The effect of weight loss surgery and body mass index on wound complications after abdominal contouring operations.

Abdominal contouring operations are in high demand after massive weight loss. Anecdotally, wound problems seemed to occur frequently in this patient population. Our study was designed to delineate risk factors for wound complications after body contouring. Our retrospective institutional analysis was assembled from 222 patients between 2001 and 2006 who underwent either abdominoplasty (N = 89) or panniculectomy (N = 133). Weight loss surgery (WLS) before body contouring occurred in 63% of our patients. Overall the wound complication rate in these patients was 34%: healing-disturbance 11%, wound infection 12%, hematoma 6%, and seroma 14%. WLS patients had an increase in wound complications overall (41% vs. 22%; P < 0.01) and in all categories of wound complications compared with non-WLS-patients by univariate methods of analysis. In a multivariate regression model, only American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification was a significant independent risk factor for wound complications. In conclusion, WLS patients are at increased risk for wound complications and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification is the most predictive of risk.

The correlation of matrix metalloproteinase 9-to-albumin ratio in wound fluid with postsurgical complications after body contouring.

BACKGROUND: The authors' earlier retrospective report of surgical complications after abdominal contouring surgery provided evidence that post-bariatric surgery patients are at increased risk of developing wound complications compared with a normal population. This prospective pilot study was designed as a comparative analysis of both surgical and wound healing characteristics between massive weight loss and normal patients who present for abdominal contouring surgery. METHODS: Excisional wounds were created and polytetrafluoroethylene tubing was inserted during the preoperative period for later harvesting in patients undergoing abdominal contouring following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for weight loss (n = 16) or abdominoplasty (n = 17). Wound fluids were sequentially collected from drains and subjected to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) analysis. Standard postsurgical complications were documented. RESULTS: Surgical complications were more common in weight loss patients (47 percent) than in control patients (25 percent). MMP analyses showed that MMP-9 levels remained significantly elevated at postoperative day 4 in patients who subsequently experienced complications in either the weight loss group (p = 0.02) or the control group (p = 0.03). Other parameters showed no significant differences between massive weight loss patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Although many markers were examined, the ratio of MMP-9 to albumin was the only predictor of postsurgical complications in any group. This lends further support to growing evidence that MMP-9 may be a useful biomarker of postsurgical complications. This pilot work showed no causal factors that explain the higher rates of postsurgical complications in the post-bariatric surgery patient population. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Gnatophyma and otophyma.

BACKGROUND: Phymas are slowly progressive, disfiguring disorders of the face and ears that represent the end stage of rosacea. The most common phyma is rhinophyma, yet similar swellings may occur on the chin (gnatophyma), forehead (metophyma), one or both ears (otophyma), and eyelids (blepharophyma). OBJECTIVE: Unlike rhinophyma, otophyma is rarely seen. We report two rare phymas: a case of gnatophyma and a case of otophyma. METHODS: A 56-year-old African American man presented with a history of bumps on his chin that had begun about 7 years earlier. Physical examination was remarkable for lobulated plaques on the chin, coalescing into hypertrophic nodules and dilated pores. A 73-year-old African American male presented with bilateral cauliflower-like earlobe growths for the past 17 years. RESULTS: A skin biopsy was performed for each patient demonstrating cystic follicular dilatation with keratin plugging, dermal scarring, psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia, and chronic inflammation of some of the follicles. CONCLUSION: This case report describes a relatively rare gnatophyma and otophyma. Surgical management is well accepted as the best mode of therapy to treat rhinophyma and is becoming a first-line treatment for all phymas.

Autologous breast reconstruction: the Vanderbilt experience (1998 to 2005) of independent predictors of displeasing outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Optimal surgical outcomes are dependent on an appreciation of comorbid conditions that may handicap results. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to delineate risk factors for complications after autologous breast reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: An institutional database was constructed of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction from 1998 to 2005. Variables captured included age, diabetes and smoking status, prereconstruction radiation therapy, concomitant breast resection, preoperative albumin, flap type, and body mass index (BMI; based on World Health Organization classifications: BMI>25, overweight; >30, obese). The primary outcome was noninfectious wound complications (NIWC), a novel classification based on the extent of tissue derangement and need for operative intervention. Secondary outcomes were wound infection, hematoma, hernia, and fat necrosis. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The analysis included 200 flaps (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous [TRAM]=171; latissimus dorsi=29) in 180 patients. There were 19 infections (9.5%), 3 total flap losses (1.5%), 14 hematomas (7%), and 11 donor-site hernias (6%). The incidences of fat necrosis and any NIWC were 18% and 36%, respectively. Mean followup was 13.1 months (range 1.1 to 51.7 months). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that obesity (BMI>30) is a statistically significant independent risk factor for any NIWC (hazards ratio=6.58; 95% CI, 2.85 to 15.18; p < 0.01) and for NIWC requiring operative treatment (NIWC>or=3; hazard ratio=6.23; 95% CI 2.15 to 18.05; p < 0.01). Increased BMI predicts NIWC, NIWC requiring operative intervention, and wound infection (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that obesity is a strong predictor of simple and complex NIWC and of wound infection after autologous breast reconstruction. Obese patients should be counseled about their significantly increased risk of experiencing these unwanted outcomes.

Impact of intraoperative normovolemic hemodilution on transfusion requirements for 68 patients undergoing lumbar laminectomies with instrumented posterolateral fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: To determine whether the normovolemic hemodilution (NH) technique would limit postoperative homologous blood transfusion requirements in 68 patients having multilevel lumbar laminectomies (3-6 levels) with predominant 1- or 2-level instrumented fusions. OBJECTIVE: In this setting, to define postoperative homologous blood transfusion requirements using NH. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: NH limits postoperative homologous blood transfusion requirements following various types of surgical procedures including those on the spine. METHODS: NH was used in an attempt to limit postoperative homologous transfusion requirements in 68 patients undergoing lumbar surgery. NH involves the removal of 1 to 2 U of blood replaced with crystalloid (2-4 mL per milliliter of blood harvested). Multiple variables contributing to homologous transfusion requirements were analyzed. RESULTS: Using NH, no homologous blood transfusions were required in 52 patients with a mean preoperative hematocrit of 41.3 undergoing average 3.7 level laminectomies with 1.5 level fusions. However, 16 patients with an average preoperative hematocrit of 38.5 undergoing average 4.3 level laminectomies with 1.6 level fusions required transfusion of 31 U of homologous blood after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Using NH, 16 (23.5%) patients required 31 postoperative homologous blood transfusions. By contrast, the remaining 52 patients with similar procedures were able to avoid the use of homologous transfusion.

Use of a deep polypropylene suture during earlobe repair: a method to provide permanent reinforcement in the prevention of recurrent earlobe tract elongation.

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic repair of elongated or lacerated earlobe tracts is a commonly encountered dermatologic procedure. For esthetic purposes, patients may choose to repierce the repaired lobe over the original site. Subsequent piercing within a scarred area potentially increases the risk of recurrent tract elongation secondary to the reduced tensile strength of the scar. OBJECTIVE: To strengthen a damaged earlobe by incorporating a nonabsorbable, dermal polypropylene suture during earlobe METHODS: The technique is described within the text. RESULTS: A deep polypropylene suture placed within a repaired earlobe tract provides a permanent barrier above which repiercing can be performed. CONCLUSION: Permanent reinforcement of the repaired earlobe serves to reduce the possibility of recurrent elongation of the earlobe tract. The technique is relevant when repeat piercing is desired over the original site.