Basal Cell Carcinoma-A Retrospective Descriptive Study Integrated in Current Literature

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is considered to be the most common cancer in humans. It has a slow growth rhythm, and for this reason, metastases are rare. For our retrospective study, we selected 180 patients from those who underwent surgery for a variety of skin tumours between January 2019 and August 2022 and whose histopathological examination revealed basal cell carcinoma. All surgeries were performed by plastic surgeons at the "St. John" hospital in Bucharest. The aim of this article is to provide observational data regarding BCC-in terms of histopathology and diagnostic and therapeutic management and to integrate these data into the current knowledge of this pathology.

Nevi, biologics for psoriasis and the risk for skin cancer: A real concern? (Case presentation and short review)

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory cutaneous disease that affects approximately 2% of the world's population. Systemic treatments and biologic treatment therapies are a powerful option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Some studies from the literature indicate an overall small, but increased, risk of neoplasia in patients with psoriasis treated with phototherapy or systemic medication. The relationship between psoriasis and malignancy is not very well established; there are few studies with conflicting results. We present the case of a 31-year-old male patient, diagnosed with psoriasis, who was deemed eligible for systemic therapy. Treatment with methotrexate was initiated, but without a satisfactory outcome. Given the patient's resistant disease involving 15% of his body surface, his desire to have a clear skin, besides his being naïve to biologic therapy, he was proposed to start treatment with secukinumab 300 mg monthly. The patient experienced complete clearance of lesions and was followed-up on the basis of clinical and biological parameters. There are limited data concerning the relationship between melanocytic lesions, psoriasis and melanoma. Immunologic pathways implicated in psoriasis induce a reduction in the number of melanocytic nevi. Nevertheless, little is known concerning the association of melanocytic nevi with psoriasis. Thorough skin examination, meaning clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of melanocytic lesions, must be encouraged in patients treated with systemic therapies such as biologic agents.

Reconstruction of lower eyelid defects after the excision of basal cell carcinoma

Objectives: The paper presents the reconstructive options of the lower eyelid region in patients who have benefited from the excision of basal cell carcinomas. Methods: The study was based on the clinical and evolutionary particularities analyzed in a series of cases, the patients benefiting from excision and reconstruction for the treatment of basal cell carcinomas located at the level of the orbital region. Results: Following the surgical treatment, the local evolution was favorable with a good functional recovery. The aesthetic results were strongly influenced by the stage of the neoplasm, the final aspect being satisfactory for the patients included in the study. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and rapid and effective surgical treatment are associated with favorable results from a functional and aesthetic point of view. Delayed surgery and treatment of relapses are associated with increased risks and inferior results.

Lower Limb Salvage Using the Medial Hemisoleus Flap Associated with the Reverse Sural Flap

The paper aims to present the reconstructive surgical approach in the case of a patient with complex soft tissue lesions of the calf. The patient was the victim of a road accident resulting in the fracture of the right tibia for which screw-plate osteosynthesis was performed. The chosen therapeutic solution was represented by covering the soft tissue defects using a complex algorithm that involved the use of a reverse sural flap associated with a medial hemisoleus muscle flap and a split-thickness skin graft.

Considering functional recovery and the degree of patient satisfaction, the result of the therapeutic conduct was appreciated as very good. The association of the reverse sural flap with the medial hemisoleus flap can be a solution for solving complex cases with multiple soft tissue defects located in the middle and lower third of the calf.

The Role of Myocutaneous Flaps in the Treatment of Patients with Multiple Decubitus Ulcers

The current research aims to present the therapeutic approach in the case of a paraplegic patient hospitalized in the Plastic Surgery Department at the “Bagdasar-Arseni” Emergency Clinical Hospital for the treatment of decubitus ulcers located at the level of the sacral, left trochanteric and posterior thoracic regions. The particularity of the case is given by the complexity of the surgical interventions necessary for the reconstruction of the above-mentioned anatomical regions. In order to cover the sacral region, two gluteal myocutaneous flaps were used, followed by a tensor fascia lata flap for the trochanteric lesion. For the thoracic defect, the surgical team has chosen the technique of excision and direct suture. Following reconstructive surgery, the patient had a favorable local evolution, being included in an intensive medical recovery program within the same health unit.

Complex reconstruction of the orbitofrontal regions using three regional flaps after orbital exenteration for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Objective. The current paper presents an interesting case of facial reconstruction after the excision of a giant basal cell carcinoma located in the orbitofrontal region. Methods. Performing the excision while securing the appropriate oncologic safety margin has determined the appearance of a soft tissue defect that required a complex reconstruction using three regional flaps: frontal, temporal fascial and temporal muscle flaps. Results. After the excision and reconstruction in a single surgical stage, the postoperative result was favorable, the 12 months assessment showing that the patient was satisfied with the aesthetic aspect. Conclusion. Including the orbital exenterations in the excisional treatment of giant neoplasms located in the facial region requires a complex reconstructive plan. The surgical team has to consider the relief of the anatomical structures that are targeted, as well as the necessity of achieving satisfactory aesthetic results while ensuring oncological radicality.

Research Related to Capsular Contracture after Breast Augmentation for Cosmetic or Reconstructive Purposes

The upward trend of patients opting for elective breast augmentation, as well as the large number of patients benefiting from alloplastic breast reconstruction, require further studies on the safety profile of these techniques. Without any doubt, the incidence of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has drawn attention to the possible unknown complications characteristic of these procedures, creating the context of further studies devoted to this issue. The present research examines the capsular contracture rate on a group of 253 patients between 2015 and 2019, also proposing a scoring system based on the integration of the main diagnostic criteria related to the capsular contracture. The results of the literature review indicate that a lower incidence of capsular contracture could be achieved by using the newest techniques in the field involving the application of chemical substances on the surface of the latest generation of silicone breast implants.

Study on Reconstruction Techniques of the Nipple-Areola Complex

Increasing the incidence of breast cancer worldwide is an alarming factor for the medical community and also an additional reason for accountability. Oncological treatment, followed by subsequent reconstructive stages, are traumatic events that without a doubt exert their adverse effects on the quality of life of these patients. The reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex represents the final element in the treatment of patients who have suffered from cancer breast and must follow basic principles such as: reproducibility, efficacy, short duration of treatment and low rate of complications. The present material presents the various surgical techniques dedicated to the reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex, presenting their advantages and disadvantages based on a 5-year study. The use of single-stage techniques associated with medical tattooing were the main factor in increasing the satisfaction of the patients included in the research.

Complications related to breast reconstruction after mastectomy using multiple surgical techniques - a national and international comparative analysis

The present paper describes and analyzes complications related to alloplastic breast reconstruction, as well as those associated with surgical techniques involving myocutaneous flaps. The article also contains a comparative analysis of the results obtained with the data in the international specialized literature. The statistical analysis is primary based on data obtained from patients included in the National Breast Reconstruction Program developed within the "Bagdasar-Arseni" Emergency Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between 2015 and 2019. In order to highlight and present a thorough comparison between the possible long-term complications associated with multiple reconstructive techniques, the paper also includes data related to patients who have undergone such surgical interventions in the aforementioned Health Unit, but which were not included in the national program, resulting a total of 73 reconstructive surgical interventions. The research results show that the overall rate of complications was 43.83%, skin necrosis, superficial infection and seroma being in this order the main complications that were identified. In the authors' opinion, risks of complications are moderated in relation with breast reconstruction surgery. However, the complication rate significantly varies depending on the chosen technique. The lowest risk levels registered in this study were associated with the breast reconstruction using the two-stage expander-implant technique. The analysis compares the achieved results with data provided by international studies, the main differences being caused by the status of the medical infrastructure, as well as the moment of hospital admission that is primarily determined by the level of medical education.

Colon cancer: clinical, macroscopic and microscopic aspects

Although in developed countries the incidence of colorectal cancer is decreasing through the introduction of well-designed screening systems, the worrying worldwide increase of the mortality rate by colorectal neoplasm indicates the need for a thorough characterization of this pathology. Clinical, endoscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical data provide important information for creating categories of patients that can benefit from intensive screening methods and for establishing the prognosis based on these data. Approximately 80% of the colorectal cancer develops from adenomas, which shows that early detection of premalignant lesions is an important step in reducing global incidence and mortality. Our study aims at providing information about the clinical, imaging and histopathological characterization of colorectal neoplasm and premalignant lesions. A total of 98 patients were evaluated, including 72 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 26 with premalignant lesions. Patients underwent colonoscopy with biopsy specimens that were examined histopathologically. From the epidemiological data, we observe a higher incidence in men with a men/women ratio of 2/1, with a median age in colorectal cancer patients of 63.93 years. Different data on signs and symptoms were observed according to the colonoscopy location, with a slight difference between symptoms of patients with premalignant lesions compared to those diagnosed with colorectal neoplasm. Endoscopy showed that the rectum was the most frequent location, followed by the left colon, the tumor having a vegetative aspect in most cases. Histopathology confirms that the most common subtype is adenocarcinoma, described in 67 of the studied cases. The moderate differentiation degree is present in more than half of the cases.

Correlations between clinics, dermoscopy and histopathology in a female with two dermatofibromas - a case report

Dermatofibromas are benign fibrohistiocytic tumors that involve the dermis. They have often a polymorphous clinical aspect, being frequently confused with other lesions varying from vascular tumors to melanoma. An important tool in diagnosis is represented by dermoscopy, which facilitates the recognition of dermatofibromas' characteristic structures such as central white patch and peripheral pigment network. Although dermatofibromas are often solitary lesions, we report the case of a woman who presented two fibrohistiocytary masses, involving the calf and the thigh, the last one with an atypical aspect leading to the confusion with a malignant tumor. Furthermore, the lesions were different at both dermoscopic and histopathological examinations, needing a second histopathological opinion. The aim of our study is to emphasize the role of histopathology, which represents the diagnostic golden standard in suspicious cases and the possible connections between dermatoscopy and histology. Sometimes, even histopathology may be very difficult, needing repeated sections and even special stains.

An animal model of peripheral nerve regeneration after the application of a collagen-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold and mesenchymal stem cells

Extensive nerve injuries often leading to nerve gaps can benefit, besides the gold standard represented by autologous nerve grafts, by the inciting field of tissue engineering. To enhance the role of biomaterials in nerve regeneration, the nerve conduits are associated with Schwann or Schwann-like cells. In this study, we evaluated rat sciatic nerve regeneration, by using a biodegradable nerve guide composed of Collagen (COL) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), associated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). After the exposure of the rat sciatic nerve, a nerve gap was created by excising 1 cm of the nerve. Three experimental groups were used for nerve gap bridging: autografts, nerve conduits filled with medium culture and nerve conduits filled with MSC. The methods of sensory and motor assessment consisted of the functional evaluation of sciatic nerve recovery - toe-spread, pinprick tests and gastrocnemius muscle index (GMI). The histological and immunocytochemical analysis of the probes that were harvested from the repair site was performed at 12 weeks. Successful nerve regeneration was noted in all three groups at the end of the 12th week. The functional and immunocytochemical results suggested that COL-PVA tubes supported with mesenchymal stem cells could be considered similar to autologous nerve grafts in peripheral nerve regeneration, without the drawbacks of the last ones. The functional results were better for the autografts and the ultrastructural data were better for the nerve conduits, but there were not noticed any statistical differences.

Psychological impact of burn scars on quality of life in patients with extensive burns who received allotransplant

With the remarkable progress in the field of burns treatment, the outcome of extensive burns improved significantly. The increased likelihood of survival of a burn victim heightens concerns for potential psychological morbidity for the survivors. Hypertrophic scarring is devastating and can result in disfigurement that affects quality of life. To assess the impact of burn scars on the quality of life of the survivors, we used two scales: the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life and the POSAS scale for the subjective evaluation of the post-burn scars in 26 patients who suffered extensive burns and received allotransplant. A significant correlation was observed between the WHOQOL-BREF score and POSAS scale (r=-0.93, p<0.001). In conclusion, burn scar visibility and severity did have a strong relationship with the quality of life in the survivors of a major burn who received allotransplant. Therefore, more effort must be placed into developing psychosocial interventions that help survivors to accept scars, reduce depression and build a strong supportive system.