Intra-Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) Anticipated Boost in Breast Cancer Treatment: An Italian Multicenter Experience

In breast cancer, the use of a boost to the tumor bed can improve local control. The aim of this research is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the boost with intra-operative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) in patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing conservative surgery and postoperative whole breast irradiation (WBI). The present retrospective multicenter large data were collected between January 2011 and March 2018 in 8 Italian Radiation Oncology Departments. Acute and late toxicity, objective (obj) and subjective (subj) cosmetic outcomes, in-field local control (LC), out-field LC, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Overall, 797 patients were enrolled. IOERT-boost was performed in all patients during surgery, followed by WBI. Acute toxicity (≥G2) occurred in 179 patients (22.46%); one patient developed surgical wound infection (G3). No patients reported late toxicity ≥ G2. Obj-cosmetic result was excellent in 45%, good in 35%, fair in 20% and poor in 0% of cases. Subj-cosmetic result was excellent in 10%, good in 20%, fair in 69% and poor in 0.3% of cases. Median follow-up was 57 months (range 12–109 months). At 5 years, in-field LC was 99.2% (95% CI: 98–99.7); out-field LC 98.9% (95% CI: 97.4–99.6); DFS 96.2% (95% CI: 94.2–97.6); OS 98.6% (95% CI: 97.2–99.3). In conclusion, IOERT-boost appears to be safe, providing excellent local control for early-stage breast cancer. The safety and long-term efficacy should encourage use of this treatment, with the potential to reduce local recurrence.

Limbal conjunctival approaches to extraocular muscles in the surgical treatment of previously operated strabismus

Purpose. Тo analyze clinical efficacy of the surgical treatment of previously operated strabismus using limbal incisions which are lengthening the conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule. Material and methods. The study included 440 patients (440 eyes) with previously operated strabismus at the age of 4 to 68 years old. The main group included 240 patients (240 eyes) who underwent strabismus surgery by limbal approach; the control group included 200 patients (200 eyes) who underwent surgery by paralimbal conjunctival approach. Horizontal strabismus occurred in 146 patients (60,8%) in the main group and in 158 (79%) in the control group. Horizontal strabismus in combination with vertical strabismus was found in 94 patients (39.2%) in the main group and in 42 patients (21%) in the control group respectively. The following approaches were applied: Y-shaped limbal approach, T-shaped incision of the conjunctiva, lower limbal peritomy, circular limbal approach with an additional horizontal incision towards the muscle being strengthened. Results. Good cosmetic result in the main group was achieved in 94.7% of cases, in the control group in 87% of cases, р<0.001. Re-surgery in the long term period was required for 39 patients (19.5%) in the control group and 14 patients (7%) in the main group, р<0.001. Conclusion. Limbal approaches performed to lengthening the conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule on the side of the weakened muscle and shortening on the side of the muscle being strengthened, are enhancing the effect of recession and resection, thereby contributing to the achievement of the state of orthotropy in 83% and have a good cosmetic result in 94.67% of cases. Key words: limbal conjunctival approaches, limbal conjunctival incisions, strabismus, children.

Az alsó szemhéj pótlása tumoreltávolítás után

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A tumoreltávolítás miatt végzett teljes alsószemhéj-pótlás összetett feladat lehet. A rekonstrukció célja a kielégítő funkcionális és kozmetikai eredmény elérése. Célkitűzés: A módosított Fricke-lebennyel végzett rekonstrukció tapasztalatainak bemutatása az alsó szemhéj teljes hiánya esetén. Módszer: 2010. január és 2020. december között 7 beteg esetében tumoreltávolítás után végeztünk alsószemhéj-rekonstrukciót módosított Fricke-lebennyel. A lebeny képzése a halántéktájon történt. A betegek átlagéletkora 72,8 év volt. A szövettani eredmény minden esetben basocellularis carcinoma volt. Az átlagos követési idő 1,9 év volt. Eredmények: Minden esetben jó funkcionális és esztétikai eredményt értünk el. Lebenynecrosist, sebelégtelenséget nem tapasztaltunk. A korai posztoperatív szakban átmeneti conjunctiva- és szemhéjoedema volt tapasztalható. 3 beteg esetében könnyezés, 1 beteg esetében érintő szőrök okozta szemszúródást észleltünk. Recidíva nem alakult ki a követési idő alatt. Következtetés: Tapasztalataink szerint a módosított Fricke-lebeny kiváló funkcionális és esztétikai eredményt ad a tumoreltávolítás utáni teljes alsószemhéj-rekonstrukcióban. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(29): 1180–1184. Summary. Introduction: The full-thickness lower eyelid reconstruction after tumor removal can be a complex challenge. The aim of reconstruction is to reach an appropriate functional and cosmetic result. Objective: To present the retrospective analysis of the reconstruction’s experience with the use of Fricke’s flap in the case of full-thickness lower eyelid defect. Method: Between January 2010 and December 2020, in the case of 7 patient’s after tumor excision on lower eyelid, reconstruction was performed with a modified Fricke’s flap. The Fricke’s flap was fashioned in the temple region. The patients’ average age was 72.8 years. The histological result was basocellular carcinoma in every case. The average follow-up period was 1.9 years. Results: In all cases, good functional and cosmetic result was detected. There were not any flap necrosis and wound dehiscence. In the early postoperative period, temporary edema of the eyelid and conjunctiva was detected. Epiphora occurred in the case of 3 patients and we observed eye irritation caused by skin hair in the case of 1 patient. Tumor recurrence was not detected during the follow-up period. Conclusion: In our experience, the modified Fricke’s flap has excellent functional and aesthetic results in the reconstruction after tumor removal on the lower eyelid. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(29): 1180–1184.

Copper vapor laser treatment of granuloma of the vermilion border of the lips arising as a complication after permanent make-up

Background. Granulomas of the vermilion border of the lips (GVBL); as a complication of lip tattooing; inevitably poses cosmetic problems. Surgical excision and cryodestruction are associated with an increased risk of scarring and recurrence of GVBL. Laser therapy can selectively destroy a pigment and achieve the desired cosmetic result with minimal risk of side effects. So laser treatment was reported to be a more relevant method of treatment of GVBL. Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of GVBL with copper vapor laser (CVL) radiation. Case report. 39-year-old female patient; without manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis; reported a 2-year history of granulomas of the lips vermilion border. She had a permanent makeup cosmetic tattoo before the onset of granulomas after lip tattooing. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of pigment in the upper and middle layers of the dermis. GVBL treatment was performed using a CVL during a single procedure; with an average CVL power of 0.60.8 W; with a ratio of 3:2 at wavelengths of 511 nm and 578 nm; exposure time 0.3 s. Light spot diameter 1 mm. CVL treatment led to a pronounced elimination of all GVBL without side effects within five years. Discussion. CVL allows a combined mode of exposure; consisting of grinding large granules of pigment to sizes that can be absorbed by the lymphatic system and suppressing VEGF expression using radiation with a wavelength of 578 nm. Conclusions. The CVL treatment provided an excellent cosmetic result due to selective photodestruction of the pigment and complete remodeling of the vascular bed associated with GVBL. The high clinical efficiency of eliminating post-tattooing foci of GVBL using CVL without side effects allows us to suggest this method for dermatologists and cosmetologists as a highly effective and inexpensive way to eliminate complications of permanent makeup.

Comparison of cosmetic results after treatment in women with breast cancer who received additional radiation to the tumor bed

Objective: to compare cosmetic result of two techniques of boost delivery to the tumor bed after breast concerving treatment.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the results of treatment of patients with stage IA–IIIA breast cancer from three groups was carried out: 1) 45 women received tumor bed boost with interstitial brachytherapy; 2) 48 women with electrons (energies from 6 to 18 MeV); 3) 59 women did not receive additional irradiation of the removed tumor bed. The analysis of the cosmetic results of treatment was carried out using subjective and objective methods using mammographic data, including information about the most common complications from the skin, subcutaneous fat and remaining breast tissue, such as telangiectasias, fibrosis, and fatty necrosis.Results. According to the results of self-assessment by patients and assessment by independent expert (oncologist), carried out on a 4-point Harvard scale, the cosmetic result in most cases was characterized as “excellent” or “good”. Frequency and grade of telangiectasia were used for objective evaluation of skin complications and were similar in all 3 groups. The incidence of localized fibrosis also did not differ and was most often observed as absent or moderate (grade 1–2). There were no significant differences between the severity and incidence of fatty necrosis on both physical examinations and when it was evaluated on mammography.Conclusions. additional irradiation of the tumor bed does not compromise cosmetic result of the treatment. In most cases (57–78 %) estimated as “good” and “excellent”. The cosmetic result of the treatment does not depend on the technology of boost delivery.

Lip and perioral assessment scale – a tool that can improve your practice

Background: The lips and perioral region are a highly dynamic anatomic area of the face and its anatomy and measurements will vary from patient to patient. In many years of clinical practice and as trainers for other injectors we have noticed that the assessment of this region is also very variable regardless of the experience of the injector. Objectives: The goal of this article is to provide a tool for assessment of the lower face and perioral area in other to simplify cosmetic treatments and help injectors identify what needs to be addressed in each patient. Methods: Over the last few years, weanalyzed the most common concerns of every patient presenting for treatment of the lips and perioral area and the most frequent areas addressed in the treatment of the lower face, and organized them into a tool that was able to systematize the different levels of attention needed in each particular area, guiding injectors towards a better final result. As trainers for other injectors, we also analyzed the most difficult aspects of the perioral assessment and simplified them into this tool that can help even novice injectors to do the correct diagnosis and therefore achieve better results while treating the perioral area. Conclusions: We believe that this tool will help both experienced and young injectors in the assessment of the lips and perioral area prior to treatment and in doing so, will provide a better outcome and cosmetic result.

A RARE CASE OF MULTIPLE EPIDERMOID CYST OF THE SCROTUM IN 44-YEAR OLD MALE PATIENT

Multiple epidermoid cyst is relatively rare condition now a day. They are asymptomatic, but cosmetically unaccepted. Once infected cause fatal complication like Fournier`s gangrene and septicemia. They are successfully managed surgically by complete excision with good cosmetic result and minimum morbidity. Here we report a case of 44 years old male patient with symptom of multiple epidermoid cyst over scrotum for last 10 years.In this case complete excision of scrotal wall with cyst followed by mobilizing scrotal skin and primary suturing was done.

Penile Glans Amputation following Circumcision: A Case Report of a Rare Complication

Circumcision is the most prevalent surgery among men. Like any other surgical intervention, it is associated with several complications. A rare shocking complication is glans amputation which is a urologic emergency. Herein, we present a 4-year-old boy with penile glans amputation following circumcision. The reimplantation was performed in less than two hours. We approximated the ends over a size 4 : 0 catheter. The urethral anastomosis was performed via 6 : 0 Vicryl sutures. Then, we sutured amputated glans in place via Vicryl 4 : 0. We immobilized the penis for a week via bandages used in penile reconstruction surgeries. We also used pentoxifylline to treat glans ischemia after surgery. The patient and his parents did not mention any difficulties or abnormalities while voiding, and the cosmetic result was favorable after three months of follow-up.

Management of a case of symblepharon by freshly prepared amniotic membrane transplantation: a clinical case report

Amniotic membrane transplantation has been in common therapeutic use for a variety of ocular disorders. Authors present a case of a 50-year-old man who was diagnosed to be a case of total symblepharon following an episode of membranous conjunctivitis who was treated with freshly prepared Amniotic membrane transplantation with satisfactory cosmetic result.

LASER ABLATION FOR PILONIDAL DISEASE

AIM: to evaluate short-term results of pilonidal disease treatment using different methods: the excision of pilonidal sinus and fistula with open wound healing, the primary closure of the wound and the laser ablation (2017-2019).PATIENTS AND METHODS: ninety patients with pilonidal disease without abscess were included in the comparative non-randomized study. The control group included 30 patients with excision and open wound healing. The first main group included 30 patients with the excision of pilonidal sinus and fistula with primary wound closure. The second main group included 30 patients with laser ablation of pilonidal sinus and fistula. The evaluation criteria included gender, age, BMI, number of previous procedures, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative pain intensity (VAS), cosmetic result (VAS), complication rate and recurrence rate.RESULTS: all three groups were homogeneous in gender, age, BMI. The control group showed no complications (р<0.0001) and no recurrence (р<0.0001) rate but had more intensive pain (mean 5.9 points; р<0.0001) and worse cosmetic result (mean 4.4 points; р<0.0001). The group with primary wound closure (1st main group) had the highest complication rate (23.4%; р=0.004) and recurrence rate (16.7%; р=0.02). The group with laser ablation had significantly shorter hospital stay (1.1 days; р<0.0001), good cosmetic result (mean 8.9 points; р<0.0001) and less postoperative pain (1.4 points; р<0.0001) with low recurrence rate (3.3%; p=0.32).CONCLUSION: the laser ablation of pilonidal sinus and fistula provides less postoperative pain intensity and low recurrence rate, better cosmetic result and short hospital stay. It can be used for outpatient treatment.