Impact of COVID-19 on Away Rotations in Surgical Fields.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a variety of challenges in the medical education curriculum, one of which is the possible loss of summer and fall away rotations for fourth year students applying into surgical subspecialties. Subsequently, a lack of in-person evaluations may have a major impact on an applicant's perception of the residency and the program's ability to assess the individual applicant. This is especially crucial for applicants without a home program in their specialty of interest, as away rotations are an important opportunity to confirm interest in pursuit of a subspecialty, obtain letters of recommendation, and make positive impressions at programs of interest. The objective of this article is to assess the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in light of away rotations and to provide recommendations for surgical subspecialty programs and applicants to have the best outcome during this upcoming application cycle. In particular, we emphasize the importance of implementing universal processes within each individual subspecialty. This will provide equitable opportunities for all applicants, minimizing potential biases or disadvantages based on geographic location or availability of a program at an applicant's home institution.

Epidermal programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression in TEN associated with nivolumab therapy.

Nivolumab is a programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) antibody used in the treatment of metastatic or unresectable melanoma. Cutaneous reactions are the most common adverse events reported with these agents and are rarely severe or life-threatening. Here we present a case report describing the clinicopathological findings of a patient with a fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) eruption associated with use of nivolumab for treatment of metastatic melanoma. The patient developed a pruritic, morbiliform eruption, which slowly progressed over 3 months to a tender, exfoliative dermatosis. Histology initially showed interface dermatitis and subsequently revealed full thickness epidermal necrosis. The diagnosis of TEN was made. From initial biopsy to TEN presentation, there was an increase in the number of CD8+ lymphocytes within the dermal-epidermal junction and an increase of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in both lymphocytes and keratinocytes. Despite treatment with infliximab, high-dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient expired. Herein we describe what we believe is the second case of TEN associated with anti-PD1 therapy reported in the literature. Increased expression of PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry was observed as the eruption progressed to TEN. Early diagnosis and treatment is necessary in these fatal TEN reactions secondary to the anti-PD-1 antibody therapies.

Treatment of Head and Neck Melanoma In Situ With Staged Contoured Marginal Excisions.

Staged marginal evaluation of melanoma in situ (MIS) is performed to avoid reconstruction on positive margins. Contoured marginal excision (CME) is an excision of a 2-mm wide strip of normal-appearing skin taken approximately 5 mm from the visible tumor periphery. If positive, a new CME is excised; the tumor is resected once negative margins are confirmed. The purpose of this study is to report our experience using this technique for the treatment of head/neck MIS. Clinicopathological data were abstracted for all patients who underwent staged CME followed by central tumor resection for head/neck MIS; patients with invasive melanoma were excluded. Statistical analyses included χ test and t test. Overall, 127 patients with MIS were identified. Fifty-six percent were men; the average age was 68 years. The median number of CME procedures per patient was 1 (range, 1-4). Twenty-three percent of patients required more than 1 CME procedure to achieve negative margins. Local recurrence occurred in 3 of 127 patients after a median follow-up of 5 months. Patients requiring multiple CME procedures were more likely to experience local recurrence (P < 0.001). In conclusion, this technique is an effective method to avoid reconstruction on positive MIS margins with high local disease control rates.

The impact of neoadjuvant hedgehog inhibitor therapy on the surgical treatment of extensive basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although hedgehog inhibitor therapy (HHIT) is offered as isolated medical treatment for extensive basal cell carcinoma (BCC), there is little evidence on the use of HHIT before definitive surgical intervention. In order to better define the utilization of HHIT for extensive BCC, we evaluated the impact of neoadjuvant HHIT on the subsequent surgical resection and reconstruction. METHODS: An IRB-approved, retrospective chart review was performed of patients who received HHIT as initial treatment for extensive BCC. Patients who discontinued HHIT and underwent surgical resection were included. Evaluation included BCC tumor response to HHIT, operative data, pathological data, radiation requirements, and evidence of tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Six patients were identified with tumors of the face/scalp (n = 4), trunk (n = 1) and upper extremity (n = 1). Hedgehog inhibitor therapy continued until tumors became unresponsive (n = 3, mean = 71 weeks) or side effects became intolerable (n = 3, mean = 31 weeks). In each case, a less extensive surgery was performed than estimated before HHIT. In 3 cases, significant bone resection was avoided. All resected specimens contained BCC. Four specimens exhibited clear margins. Postoperative radiation was performed in cases with positive margins (n = 2), and 1 patient experienced local recurrence. Length of follow-up was 5.7 to 11.8 months (mean = 8.23 months). CONCLUSIONS: Although HHIT was not curative for extensive BCC, HHIT can decrease the morbidity of surgical treatment and increase the likelihood of curative resection. For patients with extensive BCC, a combined neoadjuvant use of HHIT and surgical treatment should be considered.

Bilobed Gracilis Flap: A Novel Alternative for Pelvic and Perineal Reconstruction.

Perineal reconstruction historically has been guided by the vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. In oncologic patients, because of prior surgical intervention, this donor site is often unavailable, the pelvis has been irradiated, and defects can be deep or irregularly contoured. Using plastic surgery principles of perforators, geometrically defined local tissue rearrangement, and flap inset, the authors have developed a modification of the gracilis flap to include a second soft-tissue arm similar to a bilobed flap. The authors performed five bilobed gracilis/medial circumflex femoral vascular pedicle myocutaneous flaps for perineal reconstruction secondary to oncologic defects and one secondary to Fournier gangrene at a tertiary care center. Oncologic patients had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy and had compromised abdominal donor sites. Given their results, the authors recommend that a bilobed gracilis flap be used in patients with moderate to large defects, defects that require ample soft-tissue bulk, or in patients with limited abdominal donor sites. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic, IV.

Radiographic Comparison of Superior and Inferior Gluteal Vessels in Jackknife versus Prone Position: A Prospective, Self-Controlled Trial.

Mortality after gluteal augmentation with fat transfer techniques is extremely high. Placement of fat subcutaneously versus in the gluteal musculature, or both, is considerably debated. The purpose of this study was to radiographically show the anatomical difference in live subjects in different procedural positions: the flexed or "jackknife" versus prone position. A total of 10 women underwent computed tomographic scanning of the pelvis with venous phase run-off in both the jackknife and prone positions. A computed tomography-specialized radiologist then reviewed images and measured distances from the inferior and superior gluteal veins to the skin and muscle. Three-dimensional imaging and analysis were also performed. Measurements were significantly shorter with respect to distance from skin to muscle, skin to vessel, and vessel to muscle observed from inferior and superior gluteal veins in the jackknife versus the prone position. Three-dimensional modeling showed a significant reduction in the volume and inferior and superior gluteal vein diameters when in the jackknife position. When placed in the jackknife position for gluteal augmentation with fat transfer, extreme caution should be taken with the injecting cannula, as the underlying muscle is only 2 to 3 cm deep. Three-dimensional analysis showed narrowed and reduced volume of gluteal vasculature when in the jackknife position; this is a possible indication of torsion or stretch on the vessel around the pelvic rim that could cause vein avulsion injury from the pressurized fat within the piriform space.

Drug abuse in plastic surgery patients: optimizing detection and minimizing complications.

Drugs of abuse present numerous challenges to plastic surgeons, and detection remains difficult. With rates of drug abuse and misuse on the rise, clinicians must remain especially attentive to drug abusers' verbal and nonverbal cues, and be familiar with treating perioperative complications if they arise. Informed deductions regarding drug abuse can enable a plastic surgeon to identify drug abuse, minimize complications, and optimize patient care.