Prospective Study of Wound Infections in Mohs Micrographic Surgery Using a Single Set of Instruments

Postoperative Candida Infection following Complex Periocular Reconstruction

Postoperative candida infection is a rarely reported complication in cutaneous surgery, although it may develop more often in particular clinical settings. We present a 59-year-old woman with a well-controlled human immunodeficiency virus infection. She developed a bright red eruption with satellite pustules 2 weeks after excision of recurrent lentigo maligna melanoma of the left lower eyelid and periocular region. Due to defect size and complexity of the reconstruction (glabellar transposition flap, Hughes flap, composite graft from upper contralateral eyelid, and full-thickness skin graft from ipsilateral retroauricular region), she was placed on prophylactic oral amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and topical bacitracin and polymyxin. Immediate postoperative course was unremarkable, and sutures were removed after 7 days. Three days later, she developed bright red erythema and pustules within the surgical site and complained of burning. Empirically she was switched to topical gentamicin and oral ciprofloxacin, and later to linezolid, due to inadequate response. Wound culture grew Candida albicans sensitive to fluconazole and voriconazole. After oral fluconazole and topical clotrimazole initiation, the patient rapidly improved. The graft remained viable and apart from small partial dehiscence on the cheek, the healing was unremarkable. Apart from the case presentation, we also discuss different factors associated with postoperative candida infection, including immunocompromised status, surgical procedure location, and postoperative antibiotic use. Early recognition and treatment of postoperative candida infections are crucial to prevent delayed healing and associated morbidity.

Management of full-thickness skin grafts

Full-thickness skin grafts are a commonly used reconstructive method following Mohs micrographic surgery. The literature varies on the most appropriate methods of suturing and securing grafts as well as best practices to dress the graft postoperatively. Our objective was to review various approaches to management of full-thickness skin grafts, including suturing the graft, securing the graft, and topical emollient use on the graft postoperatively. It was found that absorbable sutures, plain gut, provide preferable outcomes with full-thickness skin grafts. The tie-over bolster is the most-used method for securing skin grafts after placement, although several other methods have demonstrated efficacy, including the polyurethane foam, sandwich, and quilting suture methods. While various topical emollients are used in the immediate postoperative period, plain white petrolatum is the least likely to form allergic contact dermatitis.

Reappraising Elements of the Aseptic Technique in Dermatology: A Review

Dermatologic procedures are performed under varying degrees of antisepsis, and no clear guidelines exist regarding the role of the aseptic technique in dermatology. This review aims to clarify the terminology surrounding surgical asepsis and examines the importance of various components of the aseptic technique in cutaneous surgery. Included are studies examining optimal glove type, surgical instruments, skin antisepsis, and cost-reducing protocols. Our review highlights that most dermatology procedures are not performed under completely sterile conditions due to the lack of environmental and foot traffic controls in dermatology offices. In addition, for some outpatient procedures, such as for minor excisions and Mohs surgery before reconstruction, elements of the clean technique can be used without increasing infection rates. However, data on the feasibility of a clean protocol for Mohs reconstruction is conflicting. Future prospective, randomized trials analyzing various components of the aseptic technique in dermatology are greatly needed so that guidelines can be established for practicing dermatologists.

Outcomes of Staged Excision With Circumferential en Face Margin Control for Lentigo Maligna of the Head and Neck

BACKGROUND

Treatment practices vary for lentigo maligna (LM). Staged excision with circumferential margin control (SECMC) has the potential to achieve low recurrence rates.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of SECMC using permanent, paraffin-embedded sections and delayed reconstruction.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, uncontrolled, observational cohort study involving patients who underwent staged excision for LM of the head and neck at Women's College Hospital in Toronto, Canada, from September 2010 to March 2013. Recurrence and infection rates were ascertained from patient charts and postal surveys.

RESULTS

One hundred and two patients (45 female, 57 male) were included with a median follow-up time of 1410.5 (IQR 260-1756) days. The median age was 69 (IQR 61-79) years. Approximately one-fifth (21%, 21/102) of patients required greater than 0.5 cm margins to achieve histological clearance. One patient (1/102) upstaged to invasive melanoma based on the initial stage of excision. The infection rate was 6% (6/102) and the 5-year cumulative recurrence rate was 1.4% (95% CI 0.2-9.6%).

CONCLUSION

SECMC using permanent sections and delayed reconstruction appears to be a safe and effective treatment method for LM on the head and neck. Randomized trials are needed to help define the optimal treatment.

Postoperative Infections in Dermatologic Surgery: The Role of Wound Cultures

BACKGROUND

Dermatologic surgery is associated with low postoperative infection rates, averaging from approximately 1% to 4.25%. Often, postoperative infections are treated empirically based on clinical diagnosis of infection, given it can take 48 to 72 hours for a wound culture to identify a pathogen.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of empiric antibiotics in dermatologic surgery postoperative infections and if wound cultures change postoperative antibiotic therapy.

METHODS

A 7-center, retrospective analysis of postoperative infections, with culture data, in dermatologic surgery patients was performed.

RESULTS

Of 91 cases of clinically diagnosed postoperative infection, 82.4% (n = 75) were successfully treated with empiric oral antibiotics (95% confidence interval [0.73-0.89], p < .0001). In 16 (17.6%) cases, initial empiric antibiotics were unsuccessful, and wound culture results altered antibiotic therapy in 9 cases (9.9%) with 6 (6.6%) of these cases requiring additional coverage for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

CONCLUSION

Empiric antibiotic treatment is usually appropriate for patients with postoperative surgical-site infections with wound cultures altering antibiotic management in a minority of cases. When empiric antibiotics fail, lack of MRSA coverage is usually the cause; therefore, providers should be aware of local MRSA prevalence and susceptibilities.

Association of Postoperative Antibiotics With Surgical Site Infection in Mohs Micrographic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most frequent complication of Mohs micrographic surgery. Previous studies have identified risk factors for SSI, but it is not known whether antibiotic prophylaxis mitigates this risk.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the association between antibiotic prophylaxis and SSI in a convenience sample of Mohs cases and to report on the utility of propensity scoring to control for confounding by indication in registry data.

METHODS

Data were drawn from a pilot quality improvement registry of 816 Mohs cases. The relationship between antibiotic prophylaxis and SSI was assessed with logistic regression modeling using propensity score methods to adjust for confounding.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-one cases were prescribed antibiotic prophylaxis (18.5%). Of 467 cases with follow-up, 16 (3.4%) developed SSI. Infection rates were higher in subjects prescribed prophylaxis, but propensity adjustment reduced this effect. Adjusted odds of infection were 1.47-fold higher in subjects prescribed antibiotics and not statistically significant (95% confidence interval 0.29-7.39; p = .64).

CONCLUSION

Although there was no significant difference in SSI among patients prescribed prophylactic antibiotics, statistical precision was limited by the low incidence of infection. Larger population-based prospective registry studies including propensity adjustment are needed to confirm the benefit of prophylactic antibiotics in high-risk surgical cases.