Single-stage excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma in selected patients: a retrospective case-control study

Lymphadenectomy in the treatment of sarcomas - indications and technique

Sarcomas are a rare type of malignancy with limited treatment options so far. This analysis aimed to describe the impact of lymphadenectomy on treating sarcoma patients. Sarcomas characterized by lymphatic spread are rare. For this reason, lymphadenectomy is not a procedure that is performed frequently. However, there are histological subtypes that spread more frequently through lymphatic vessels, such as rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), epithelioid sarcoma (ES), clear cell sarcoma (CCS), and angiosarcoma. On the other hand, synovial sarcoma (SS) is not characterized by an increased tendency to lymphogenous metastases. In our study, we focus on these subtypes of sarcomas. The relationship between lymphadenectomy results and the subsequent prognosis of the patients was investigated. Metastases in the lymph nodes are diagnosed synchronously with distant metastases or when the primary tumor is detected. At the same time, despite lymphadenectomy, sarcoma patients developed further distant metastases. Currently, lymphadenectomy is not a routinely recommended method of treatment for patients with sarcomas. Most often, its potential use is indicated in the case of epithelioid sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma after a previous positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) result. Multicenter randomized prospective clinical trials on the role of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of sarcomas are needed.

The role of wide local excision of a primary lesion in cutaneous malignant melanoma: a retrospective analysis of its usefulness in local and general control of disease

Currently, wide local excision is recommended after the primary excision of cutaneous melanomas. The definition of margins for wide local excision indicated by the guidelines has remained unchanged over the years, although the reported indications are derived from fairly dated studies in which melanomas tended to be thicker or in advanced stages at diagnosis. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the usefulness of wide local excision for local and general control of the disease and to identify patients who had benefited from the wide local excision procedure in terms of prognosis improvement. This retrospective observational study was conducted on patients who had undergone surgery for melanoma at a single institution. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival after wide local excision in patients with or without residual melanoma. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate which patients' demographic features and melanoma histological data were associated with residual melanoma after wide local excision. In the univariate model, melanoma-positive wide local excision resulted in the worst progression-free survival; however, this association was not confirmed in the multivariate model. The results also showed that Breslow thickness was the only factor associated with an increased risk of metastasis to the wide local excision area. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimum cutoff value of Breslow's thickness to predict a tumor-positive wide local excision was 2.31 mm for males and 2.4 mm for females.

Wide Local Excision Before Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Melanoma

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines suggest that wide local excision of thick melanomas be delayed until sentinel lymph node biopsies can be performed.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the literature and determine if there is a scientific basis for delaying wide local excision of thick melanomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A narrative review of the literature was undertaken to examine all available studies on the subject.

RESULTS

There is no evidence that prior excision compromises sentinel lymph node identification. There are multiple unsubstantiated suggestions that large rotation flaps may lead to false negatives.

CONCLUSION

There is no basis for delaying wide local excision of thick melanomas until a sentinel lymph node biopsy can be performed.

Prevention of Secondary Lymphedema after Complete Lymph Node Dissection in Melanoma Patients: The Role of Preventive Multiple Lymphatic-Venous Anastomosis in Observational Era

Background and Objectives: Current guidelines have limited the performance of complete lymph node dissection (CLND) for patients with clinically detectable lymphatic metastases. Despite the limitations of this surgical procedure, secondary lymphedema (SL) is an unsolved problem that affects approximately 20% of patients undergoing CLND. Preventive lymphatic–venous micro-anastomoses (PMLVA) has already demonstrated its efficacy in the prevention of SL in melanoma patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), but the efficacy of this procedure is not demonstrated in patients with clinically detectable lymphatic metastases. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study, was performed in two observation periods. Until March 2018, CLND was proposed to all subjects with positive-SLNB andPMLVA was performed in a subgroup of patients with risk factors for SL (Group 1). From April 2018, according to the modification of melanoma guidelines, all patients with detectable metastatic lymph nodes underwent PMLVA during CLND (Group 2). The frequency of lymphedema in subjects undergoing PMLVA was compared with the control group. Results: Database evaluation revealed 172 patients with melanoma of the trunk with follow-up information for at least 6 mounts. Twenty-three patients underwent PMLVA during CLND until March 2018, 29 from April 2018, and 120 subjects underwent CLND without any preventive surgery (control Group). The frequency of SL was significantly lower in both Group 1 (4.3% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.03) and Group 2 (3.5%, p = 0.01). Patients undergoing PMLVA showed a similar recurrence-free periods and overall survival when compared to the control group. Conclusions: PMLVA significantly reduces the frequency of SL both in immediate and delayed CLND. This procedure is safe and does not lead to an increase in length of hospitalization.

Microsurgical reconstruction of the isolated columellar defect with a prelaminated radial forearm free flap. A case report and a review of the literature

The columella is one of the smallest subunits of the nose, but the loss of this structure has important aesthetic and structural implications. Few papers in literature present microsurgical techniques for the reconstruction of an isolated columellar defect. This report describes the use of a prelaminated radial forearm free flap (RFFF) for the reconstruction of an isolated columellar defect and reviews the current literature. A 45-year-old woman presented to our Unit with a history of palate squamous cell carcinoma and severe nasal deformity with an almost complete loss of the columella. A prelaminated RFFF with the fifth rib was used for a two-staged reconstruction of the isolated columellar defect. The radial pedicle was anastomosed to the facial vessels and the postoperative course was uneventful. Complete survival of the flap was achieved and, 10 months postoperatively, the patient had bilateral nasal patency, with an increased tip projection and a good aesthetic result. A prelaminated RFFF can be considered a valuable reconstructive option in cases of a large composite defect of the columella and limited availability of adjacent tissues.