Benefits, safety and side effects of tumescent local anesthesia in dermatologic surgery in infants

[Dermatologic surgery during pregnancy and lactation]

It may be necessary for patients to undergo (dermato-)surgical procedures during pregnancy or lactation. Often, there are no drug approvals or guidelines in this context. The following article describes the most common dermatologic surgical conditions during pregnancy and lactation, as well as the special therapeutic considerations and risks to be aware of during treatment. Dermatosurgical procedures are subject to strict indications. Most of these procedures can be performed during pregnancy, but the risks to the mother and fetus must be carefully weighed against the disadvantages of nonsurgical therapy. Although surgery can be performed safely in any trimester, the second trimester and immediate postpartum period are optimal. Surgery should not be delayed for melanoma or high-risk skin cancer. Perioperative positioning and choice of analgesics, antiseptics, anesthetics and antibiotics must be considered carefully to avoid risks to the patient, fetus and infant.

Novel Strategy of Local Infiltration Anaesthesia for Cyst Removal

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

The Origins and Development of Pre-emptive Dermatologic Anesthesia: A Systematic Review

This study delves into the historical trajectory of dermatological anesthesia, tracing its roots from ancient civilizations to modern times. It emphasizes the relentless pursuit of pain relief in dermatologic procedures and the transformative impact of anesthesia on surgical practices. A comprehensive analysis was conducted through an extensive literature review, employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) systematic review model on the PubMed and Embase databases. A total of 1304 articles were initially identified, with six publications from these databases and 10 additional sources from the World Wide Web included in the study. This systematic approach allowed for a thorough examination of the historical journey of dermatological anesthesia. The historical trajectory outlined in this study highlights the progress in dermatological anesthesia, showcasing its impact on contemporary procedures with a continual emphasis on patient comfort and safety. As medical knowledge expands, the ongoing quest for enhanced pain control in dermatology remains a central focus.

Tumeszenz-Lokalanästhesie bei geriatrischen Patienten mit Hauttumoren im Kopf-Hals-Bereich - Eine retrospektive Studie an 782 Patienten: Tumescent local anesthesia in geriatric patients with head and neck skin cancer - a retrospective study of 782 patients

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Aufgrund ihrer Morbidität werden dermatochirurgische Eingriffe bei älteren Patienten vorzugsweise in Tumeszenz‐Lokalanästhesie durchgeführt. Allerdings ist die Datenlage hierzu begrenzt. Ziel der Arbeit war es, die Tumeszenz‐Lokalanästhesie für Hautkrebsoperationen bei älteren Patienten mit dem Fokus auf klinische Vorteile (Behandlungsprozesse, Schmerzmanagement) und dem lokalen postoperativen Komplikationsrisiko zu evaluieren.

Patienten und Methodik

Untersuchung von Patienten ≥75 Jahren mit stationär durchgeführten Hautkrebsoperationen im Kopf‐Hals‐Bereich unter Tumeszenz‐Lokalanästhesie.

Ergebnisse

2940 Eingriffe bei 782 Patienten (Durchschnittsalter 83,3 Jahre) mit dem Ziel einer vollständigen Tumorresektion während des stationären Aufenthaltes wurden durchgeführt. 3,8 (Bereich: 1–20) Eingriffe erfolgten über einen Zeitraum von durchschnittlich 4,9 Tagen (Bereich: 1–28). 43,2% benötigten keine postoperative Analgesie. 53,5% erhielten NSAID, 3,3% Opioide. Wundinfektionen (13,6%) waren die häufigste lokale postoperative Komplikation. Chirurgische Interventionen aufgrund von Nachblutungen waren in 2,8% der Fälle erforderlich. Keine der Blutungen waren hämoglobinrelevant oder lebensbedrohlich. Nahtdehiszenzen und Nekrosen waren selten (0,6%).

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Tumeszenz‐Lokalanästhesie ist für Hautkrebsoperationen bei älteren Menschen eine effektive Anästhesiemethode. Durch den Verzicht auf eine Vollnarkose können die Behandlungsabläufe optimiert und anästhesiologische Risiken minimiert werden. Lokale postoperative Komplikationen treten eher selten auf und sind gut behandelbar. Die langanhaltende Analgesie führt zu einem geringeren Analgetikabedarf und selteneren Medikamenteninteraktionen.

Tumescent local anesthesia in geriatric patients with head and neck skin cancer - a retrospective study of 782 patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Due to frailty, dermatosurgery in the elderly is preferably performed under tumescent local anesthesia, but data is limited. The aim was to evaluate tumescent local anesthesia for skin cancer surgery in the elderly with focus on clinical benefits (treatment processes, pain management) and local postoperative complication risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Investigation of patients ≥ 75 years with inpatient head and neck skin cancer surgery under tumescent local anesthesia.

RESULTS

2,940 procedures in 782 patients (mean age 83.3 years) were performed with the aim of complete tumor resection during the inpatient stay. 3.8 (range: 1-20) interventions were done over an average of 4.9 days (range: 1-28). 43.2% did not require any postoperative analgesia. 53.5% received NSAIDs, 3.3% opioids. Infection (13.6%) was the most common local postoperative complication. Surgical intervention due to bleeding was required in 2.8%. None was hemoglobin relevant or life-threatening. Suture dehiscence and necrosis were rare (0.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumescent local anesthesia is an effective method for skin cancer surgery in the elderly. By avoiding general anesthesia, treatment processes can be optimized and anesthesiologic risks minimized. Local postoperative complications are still low and well treatable. The long-lasting analgesia results in a reduced need for analgesics and drug interactions.

Tumescent local anaesthesia for the surgical therapy of congenital nevi in the first year of life

BACKGROUND

The indication for surgical treatment of congenital nevi must be made after individual consideration of the expected benefit and risk and requires careful information of the parents as well as interdisciplinary psychological support. In addition to suspected malignancy, a relevant indication is the risk of stigmatization depending on the size and localization of the nevus. Objective was to show which size reduction of the congenital nevus can be achieved by surgical therapy under tumescent local anaesthesia (TLA) in infancy and how often complications of anaesthesia or surgery occur.

METHODS

All infants up to 12 months of age who underwent surgery for a congenital nevus under TLA at the University Dermatological Clinic Tuebingen between January 2015 and December 2021 were included; surgeries were performed using serial excisions (powerstretching technique), whereby the incisions were made inside the nevus and mobilization was strictly limited to the skin side without nevus.

RESULTS

Overall, a cumulative total area of 38.65 cm² could be removed on average within the first year of life (trunk: 67 cm² , head: 21.2 cm² , legs: 21.6 cm² , arms: 13.2 cm² ). A cumulative maximum area reduction of 406.9 cm² could be achieved. We evaluated 363 surgical sites (123 children) on all body regions. The median age of the children at the first surgery was 3.5 months (0.46-10.7 months). Complications occurred in 2.3% (seven procedures). All these complications were reversible in the course of the operation and did not lead to a prolonged hospital stay. No anaesthesia-related complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

We were able to show that a reduction of large areas of congenital nevi is possible in the first year of life with the combination of serial excisions using powerstretching technique, TLA, and intracutaneous butterfly sutures.

Risk analysis of systemic side effects of tumescent local anaesthesia in the surgical treatment of geriatric and multimorbid patients with skin cancer

BACKGROUND

Due to demographic change and increased UV exposure, the number of dermatosurgical procedures in the elderly is increasing. Data on the occurrence of systemic side effects during and after treatment with tumescent local anaesthesia are limited and do not refer to details such as volume and composition of local anaesthetics or epinephrine additive.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of systemic side effects in elderly patients undergoing skin tumour surgery with tumescent local anaesthesia.

METHODS

Investigation of systemic complications in patients (≥75 years) who underwent head and neck skin tumour surgery under tumescent local anaesthesia at the Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre Tübingen, between October 2018 and March 2020.

RESULTS

In total 782 patients (479 males, 303 females) with a mean age of 83.3 years (range: 75.1-102.2 years) could be included. A total of 2940 procedures were performed. Patients were assigned to two groups. The old-old group (≥75-84 years) included 491 patients and the oldest-old group (≥85 years) included 291 patients. The total inpatient stay and thus mean follow-up period was 4.9 days (range 1-28 days). 92.0% (719/782) suffered from pre-existing comorbidities. Systemic complications occurred in 10.2% (80/782; old-olds: 8.6%, oldest-olds: 13.1%). Hypertensive crisis (>180/120 mmHg) requiring intervention (6.7%) that occurred intraoperatively or during the inpatient stay was the most frequent systemic complication. Cardiac arrhythmias occurred postoperatively in 0.8% of cases. No life-threatening complications directly related to tumescent local anaesthesia were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Skin tumour surgery in tumescent local anaesthesia for the elderly is safe, and complications caused by general anaesthesia can be avoided. Systemic complications can occur, but are usually mild, are caused by pre-existing diseases and perioperative excitement, and can be rapidly detected and well treated by monitoring. There is no direct correlation of complications to high-tumescent concentrations or volume quantities.