Serendipity and its Role in Dermatology

Serendipity is a pleasant surprise of finding a particularly useful information while not looking for it. Significant historic events occurring as a result of serendipity include the discovery of the law of buoyancy (Archimedes principle) by the Greek mathematician Archimedes, of the Americas by Christopher Columbus and of gravity by Sir Isaac Newton. The role of serendipity in science has been immensely beneficial to mankind. A host of important discoveries in medical science owe their origin to serendipity of which perhaps the most famous is the story of Sir Alexander Fleming and his discovery of Penicillin. In the field of dermatology, serendipity has been responsible for major developments in the therapy of psoriasis, hair disorders, aesthetic dermatology and dermatosurgery. Besides these many other therapeutic modalities in dermatology were born as a result of such happy accidents.     

Diagnostic and surgical accuracy and economic aspects of dermatological surgery - a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Good skin care for oncological dermatological patients includes efficacious excision to achieve tumour control and economically reasonable costs. This field concerns dermatologists as much as other surgical specialities. METHODS: Of 944 excisions and biopsies, we studied 114 epidermal carcinomas excised by plastic surgeons and dermatologists. This allowed us to compare the accuracy concerning oncological surgical aspects as well as the extrapolated costs produced by these two specialities. RESULTS: Dermatologists are significantly more accurate concerning total excision of epidermal tumours compared to plastic surgeons. CONCLUSION: From an economic point of view, plastic surgeons are increasingly more expensive than dermatologists. Most expenses are due to the use of a hospital operating room.     

Differences in biopsy techniques of actinic keratoses by plastic surgeons and dermatologists: a histologically controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To compare differences in biopsy techniques of actinic keratoses between dermatologists and plastic surgeons. DESIGN: Blinded, comparative, retrospective study. SETTING: Dermatopathology laboratory at a major academic medical center with referral of outside cases.Intervention We reexamined the histopathologic slides of 405 actinic keratosis biopsy specimens obtained by plastic surgeons and dermatologists from January 1, 1992, through May 31, 2002. We were specifically interested in the type of biopsy technique (shave, punch, or excisional biopsy) used for the surgical management of actinic keratoses by both groups of physicians. We also recorded the clinical diagnoses rendered on the dermatopathology request form and compared them with the histopathologic diagnoses. RESULTS: Excisional biopsies were performed by plastic surgeons in 50.0% of the cases, compared with only 1.4% by dermatologists. In contrast, shave biopsies of actinic keratoses were performed by plastic surgeons in only 32.4% of the cases, compared with 89.4% by dermatologists. Only 1 (0.5%) of the 198 dermatopathology request forms submitted by the plastic surgeons mentioned actinic keratosis, compared with 82 (39.6%) of 207 histopathologic evaluation requests submitted by dermatologists. CONCLUSIONS: The predominance of excisional biopsies of actinic keratoses by plastic surgeons may be related to a different ability in the clinical recognition of actinic keratoses compared with that of dermatologists. The surgical approach of dermatologists to shave diagnostically uncertain cutaneous lesions is less invasive than that of plastic surgeons and is more likely to achieve a better cosmetic outcome.     

Physical and surgical principles governing carbon dioxide laser surgery on the skin

Although the physical principles governing the safe delivery of coherent radiation are well established, these rules are broken as often as they are followed. Few surgeons take advantage of the increased precision afforded by the rapid superpulse mode. Through a misdirected sense of caution, many surgeons use dangerously low power outputs and choose power densities in the carbonization range. Surface ablation is often undertaken with a beam geometry suited only to thermal incision, thereby producing an array of ridges and gutters that must be flattened by a raster technique. Each sequential pass of the laser adds to the amount of unnecessary thermal injury. Finally, some surgeons still try to control the laser in delicate situations through turning down beam power rather than through the strategy of prolonging reaction time with gated pulses. Of course, simple observation of correct physical principles does not guarantee a successful outcome. Strategies are also required to ensure dextrous beam delivery and to minimize thermal injury within adjacent tissue. As in other forms of surgery, the dermatologic surgeon must learn how to control bleeding, gain exposure, delineate geographic margins, and control the depth of destruction. When these lessons are assimilated, wounds heal rapidly, and results are indistinguishable from normal tissue.     

The concept of safer face-lifting

Face-lifting is now a common aesthetic procedure, performed mainly by plastic surgeons but increasingly also by ENT surgeons, oral surgeons, general surgeons and dermatologists. The level of expertise is dependent on training and exposure to patients, in addition to basic surgical skills. With cosmetic surgery clients, a holistic approach to patients is becoming increasingly important and, with increasing demands from the Care Standards Committee, there should be less demand for part-time aesthetic surgeons. This paper describes the working practice and thought processes of a single surgeon, based on 14 years of a busy aesthetic surgery practice. There are numerous types of face-lift described in the literature but, in practical terms, the simplest technique often gives the best result, with little risk of morbidity. Undoubtedly, some clients need an aggressive approach but, in most cases, the vertical pull mini-face-lift gives consistently good results in cases that are carefully assessed preoperatively and managed by skilled aesthetic/plastic nurses in the postoperative period. This paper is unique in its holistic approach to assessment, technique and aftercare. It is designed for the sensible surgeon, looking for a low-risk technique that reaps professional satisfaction and a happy client base. The more complex face-lift should be referred to recognized specialists in the field.     

A comparison of dermatologists', surgeons' and general practitioners' surgical management of cutaneous melanoma

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for the surgical management of melanoma aim to bring a combined consensus approach to the surgery of melanoma. Whether different outcomes for melanoma are related to the specialist who treats the patient is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To examine the clinicopathological features and surgical management of patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma treated by dermatologists, general surgeons, plastic surgeons and general practitioners (GPs). We also examined if the category of specialist had an effect on the survival outcome for the patient. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study of patients registered on a specialist database that records the clinicopathological features, surgical treatment and follow-up information of patients with malignant melanoma in Scotland. The patients had invasive primary cutaneous malignant melanoma without evidence of metastasis at the time of surgery, diagnosed between 1979 and 1997, with follow-up to the end of December 1999. Clinicopathological characteristics and surgical treatment of patients were compared for the four groups of specialist, as were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence-free interval (RF). RESULTS: Of 1536 patients, 663 (43%) were treated initially by a dermatologist, 486 (32%) by a general surgeon, 257 (17%) by a plastic surgeon and 130 (8%) by a GP. The proportion of patients managed by dermatologists rose over the lifetime of the study. Compared with the other specialists, the patients treated by general and plastic surgeons were older; a higher proportion of female patients was managed by dermatologists; median tumour thickness, lesion diameter and frequency of ulceration were all greater in the general surgeon-treated group; plastic surgeons treated a higher proportion of lentigo maligna melanomas; and general surgeons and GPs saw a higher proportion of nodular melanomas. Over 90% of patients managed by a dermatologist or GP underwent wider local excision following initial excision, compared with 43% and 25%, respectively, in the general and plastic surgery groups. General surgeons used wider excision margins than the other specialists. OS, DFS and RF were significantly better in the dermatology group compared with the general and plastic surgery groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that dermatologists manage an increasing majority of melanoma patients and that there were significant differences in the surgical treatment of melanoma between dermatologists and surgeons. Survival was significantly better in the dermatology-treated group, suggesting that dermatologists should have a central role in melanoma management.     

Community dermatology inclusive of leprosy: its past present and future

The archives of leprosy and its global history are currently evolving in Oxford. A collection of documents and books are housed in the historical library of Sir William Osler under the heading of 'Public Health before and after Osler' and the history of leprosy can be found on http://www.leprosyhistory.org. A striking feature of the old books is their attention to the designation 'Lepra' and the evolution of not just leprosy but of the other differential diagnoses of the eighteenth and nineteenth century such as psoriasis.. Even in the twentieth century, the development of a major interest in Oxford led by Weddell was the innervation of the skin first in psoriasis and then in leprosy, joint meetings with Weddell, Cochrane, Browne, Rees and others over patients with leprosy, to the building of the Cochrane Annex and the work of Colin MacDougal in the Department of Dermatology.     

A simple technique to reconstruct medium to large scalp defects with exposed bone

Medium to large scalp defects with exposed bone can pose particular challenges to the dermatologic surgeon. Most of the publications pertaining to the repair of such defects are presented in the plastic surgery literature. Dermatologic surgeons may have less experience in this area and be hesitant to pursue surgery when these defects may be encountered. The technique described below is a simple, one‐stage reconstruction, with a short healing period, providing adequate cosmesis, and is within the capability of most dermatologic surgeons.     

Is sentinel node biopsy the standard of care in melanoma management? The opinions and practices of Australian specialists

Background/Objective: There is international debate over the role of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in invasive melanoma management. There is currently evidence that SNB offers prognostic information; however, the therapeutic benefit of SNB is yet to be elucidated. Many experts describe SNB as the standard of care in the management of patients with melanoma. Labelling a procedure as a standard of care has consequences from the perspectives of both patient care and cost. This study aims to determine the opinions of Australian dermatologists and plastic surgeons on the role of SNB, to compare these opinions between specialties and to compare self‐reported practices with current evidence. Methods: An online survey of 10 questions was distributed to members of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Results: A total of 137 responses were received (66 dermatologists and 71 plastic surgeons), representing 16% of the dermatologists and 20% of the plastic surgeons in Australia. Just over half of the respondents (51%) said SNB should not be the standard of care. More dermatologists than plastic surgeons held this view. In total 15% of specialists were counselling patients outside current guidelines. Conclusions: Australian specialists are divided on the role of SNB in the management of patients with melanoma. There are differences in opinion on the role of SNB in melanoma management between speciality groups and regions. A significant percentage of specialists are counselling patients outside current guidelines.     

Prognosis for cutaneous melanoma according to surgical department: comparative study at a tertiary care hospital

IntroductionSurgical treatment of melanoma is performed by dermatologists and general or plastic surgeons. It is not known whether the type of specialist treating the melanoma results in a different prognosis for these patients.Material and methodsA retrospective study was carried out on the epidemiological, clinical/histological and evolutional characteristics of all patients diagnosed with melanoma at Hospital Gregorio Marañón over a 10-year period (1994--2003). The differences by hospital department where the patients were treated (dermatology, general surgery and plastic surgery) were noted.ResultsOver 90 % of the patients with melanoma were treated by the Dermatology Department. The thickness of the tumors and the presence of histologic ulceration were significantly higher in the melanomas treated by general and plastic surgeons (p < 0.05). The differences in overall average survival (105, 55 and 77 months) and disease-free time (88, 24 and 51.3 months) in the melanomas operated on by dermatologists, general surgeons and plastic surgeons, respectively, were significant (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study confirms that there are significant differences in the clinical and histological characteristics and the life prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma treated by different specialists. The melanomas treated by general or plastic surgeons have usually been developing for a longer time, and therefore are thicker and more often ulcerated than those treated by dermatologists, resulting in a lower survival period. With appropriate medical and surgical training, dermatologists are the most suitable specialists for early diagnosis and treatment.     

Mohs micrographic surgery for periorbital skin cancer

The authors have illustrated the use of the Mohs technique on periorbital skin cancer. The indications for the technique are documented for eyelid and canthal neoplasia, and the case histories illustrate the potential danger of skin cancer in this area. It is the well balanced team of micrographic surgeons and reconstructive surgeons that will give the patient the best result.     

Metal sensitivities and orthopaedic implants revisited: the potential for metal allergy with the new metal-on-metal joint prostheses

The potential of metal-containing orthopaedic prostheses to induce problems through metal allergy taxes dermatologists and orthopaedic surgeons alike. Metal-on-plastic joint replacements are not thought to induce metal allergy but wear products, principally polypropylene particles, produce a foreign body reaction in bone and may lead to aseptic loosening of the joint. Orthopaedic surgeons are increasingly using metal-on-metal joint replacements, particularly for younger patients, as some evidence suggests that there is less wear debris and hence less aseptic loosening. The original metal-on-metal hip joints of the 1960s were associated with sensitivities to cobalt, nickel and chromate when loosening occurred. The potential for modern metal-on-metal joint prostheses, with their lower production of wear debris, to sensitize the recipient to metals or to induce a problem in subjects already allergic to metals, is unclear. One uncontrolled series suggested an association between nickel allergy and prosthesis loosening in some subjects, but the question has yet to be addressed in a prospective study and to date there is no other observation in the orthopaedic literature to suggest a problem.     

Complications of cutaneous laser surgery. A survey

We surveyed a selected group of 139 dermatologists and plastic surgeons about their experience with the complications of cutaneous laser surgery. Reported complication rates varied from 0% to 35%, with means of 3.2% for dermatologists and 6.2% for plastic surgeons using the argon laser, and 4.2% for dermatologists and 2.8% for plastic surgeons using the carbon dioxide laser. Hypertrophic scarring was the complication noted most frequently; 69% of physicians using the argon laser and 64% of physicians using the carbon dioxide laser have seen at least one case of hypertrophic scarring. Complications noted less frequently include infection, pain, atrophic scarring, intraoperative or postoperative hemorrhage, and prolonged wound healing. Environmental accidents were few. No procedure-related deaths, ocular damage, or secondary cutaneous malignant neoplasms were reported. We conclude that cutaneous laser surgery has an acceptable risk profile but that complications are not uncommon.     

Type I allergy from cows in veterinary surgeons

Occupational contact dermatitis caused by obstetric work and/or contact with cows is common among veterinary surgeons. We examined serum from nine veterinary surgeons of whom seven gave a history of itching and flare of eczema after obstetric work and/or contact with cows. By means of crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis the occurrence of specific IgE against cow hair and dander was demonstrated. The IgE did not differ qualitatively or quantitatively from IgE in serum from patients with allergic asthma from cows. Four veterinary surgeons with flare-up of eczema during obstetric aid to cows did not have assignable s-IgE against bovine amnion or allantoic fluids.     

BOOKS RECEIVED

An Introduction to Dermatology. By Sir N orman W alker .
Acute Infectious Diseases: A Handbook for Students and Practitioners. By J. D. R olleston .
Report of Scientific Researches on the Veneral Diseases.     

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferations of the tubular bones of the hands and feet

A case of a rare condition with which dermatologists are unlikely to be familiar is presented. The lesions involve the tubular bones therefore usually present to orthopaedic surgeons. This is the first case affecting a distal phalanx to be reported.