Biomedical subjects

Claire L F Temple

Publications and source records attributed to Claire L F Temple.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Mohs micrographic surgery in the treatment of lentigo maligna and melanoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) is challenging due to lesion location, size, patient age, and potential for recurrence and spread. The largest studies to date confirm that for melanocytic tumours, MMS provides high local control rates while minimizing tissue loss. Herein we report our local control rate for melanoma treated by MMS over a decade. METHODS: Charts were reviewed on all patients with melanocytic tumors treated by a single physician (JPA) using MMS over the time period of 1993-2002. Demographic, surgical and pathological details were recorded. Patients were followed for local, regional and distant recurrences. RESULTS: The patient population was comprised of 199 patients with 202 melanomas. There were 69 invasive lesions, with a mean Breslow depth of 0.92 mm (0.2-3.6 mm). The mean number of levels required to clear the lesions was 2.7 (1-7), resulting in a mean defect size of 11.8 cm2 (0.9-70.7 cm2). Patients with LMM were significantly older (73.2 vs. 66.5 yrs, p = 0.012) and had larger defects after MMS (16.74 cm2 vs. 10.27 cm2) than patients with LM. At a mean follow-up of 29.8 months, there were no local recurrences, four regional recurrences, and two distant recurrences. CONCLUSION: MMS is an effective modality for the clearance of melanocytic tumors.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Sensibility following innervated free TRAM flap for breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap has proven to be a reliable means of recreating the aesthetic breast form after mastectomy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether neurotization of the free TRAM flap improved sensation of the reconstructed breast. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients undergoing 37 free TRAM flap reconstructions were randomized to receive either an innervated (12 patients, 18 breasts) or a noninnervated flap (15 patients, 19 breasts). A nerve repair between the T10 intercostal of the TRAM flap and the anterior sensory branch of the fourth intercostal nerve was performed for innervation. Sensory testing (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, hot-cold discrimination, two-point discrimination) was performed by one blinded examiner in a standardized pattern. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 16 months. Demographic analysis revealed no significant differences in patient age, height, smoking, radiation therapy, and nipple-areola reconstruction between patient groups (p > 0.3). Patients in the noninnervated group, however, were heavier (p = 0.03). Preoperative sensation was not significantly different in the noninnervated and innervated groups. Postoperative pressure threshold and temperature discrimination were significantly improved in the innervated flaps (p < 0.05). Noninnervated flaps displayed a pattern of increasing sensibility from the center toward the periphery while innervated flaps regained sensation throughout. CONCLUSIONS: Innervation of the free TRAM flap provides improved sensation to the reconstructed breast and is a simple adjunct to breast reconstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The perimeter technique for lentigo maligna: an alternative to Mohs micrographic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Lentigo maligna (LM) presents a challenge for complete surgical excision because of its extensive subclinical spread and predilection for the face. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience using the staged perimeter technique as an alternative to Mohs micrographic surgery for treatment of LM. METHODS: The perimeter procedure was performed on 11 patients with LM between March 2003 and June 2004. Data on patient and lesion characteristics, number of stages required to obtain clear margins, and follow-up was obtained by chart review. RESULTS: A mean of 1.9 stages were required to achieve clear margins. A mean of 7 tissue specimens were sent to pathology per patient for evaluation. After a mean follow-up of 4.7 months, all patients were free of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The perimeter technique is a simple method of margin-controlled excision of LM. The main advantage is that all margins are examined with permanent sections. The main drawback is that multiple operative sessions are required to complete the procedure. This technique does not require specific Mohs training and is therefore applicable to non-Mohs surgeons.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Sentinel node biopsy as an adjunct to limb salvage surgery for epithelioid sarcoma of the hand.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid sarcomas of the hand are rare, high-grade tumors with a propensity for regional lymphatic spread approaching 40%. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old male with an epithelioid sarcoma of the palm was treated with neoadjuvant radiation, wide excision, and two-stage reconstruction. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was used to stage the patient's axilla. Sentinel node biopsy results were negative. The patient has remained free of local, regional and distant disease for the follow-up time of 16 months. CONCLUSION: The rarity of this tumor makes definitive conclusions difficult but SLN biopsy appears to be a useful adjunct in the treatment of these sarcomas.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (modified Eilber protocol) provides maximum local control and minimal morbidity in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Local recurrence rates of 15% to 30% after treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are still common but unacceptable. Our hypothesis was that a refined neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation protocol (modified Eilber protocol) improves local control rates while minimizing major morbidity. METHODS: Consecutive patients with STS deep to the fascia of the extremity or trunk during 1984 to 1996 were treated with 3 days of doxorubicin (30 mg/day) and sequential radiation (300 cGy/day for 10 days). Wide excision with limb preservation was performed 4 to 8 weeks after radiation completion. Treatment complications, margins, local recurrence, and survival were prospectively documented. RESULTS: Of 75 patients, 66% had tumors >5 cm, and 71% were grade 2/3. In eight patients, negative margins were not achieved, and four of these had amputation (95% limb salvage). Three of the remaining four had local recurrence with a 5- and 7-year actuarial local control rate of 50% and 25%, respectively. In contrast, of the 67 patients with negative margins, a local control rate of 97% at 5 years and 94% at 7 years and an overall survival of 63% were achieved. Although margin (P = .001) and stage (P = .035) were correlated, these were not significant on multivariate Cox regression analysis. Risk factors for death included tumor stage (hazard ratio, 1.54; P = .001) and tumor grade (hazard ratio, 1.4; P = .02). Three patients (4%) required reoperation for tissue loss, and eight patients (10.6%) developed minor wound complications. CONCLUSIONS: This modified Eilber protocol seems to maximize local control and minimize major wound complications for extremity/truncal STS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Scalp and forehead reconstruction.

The reconstruction of defects that involve the scalp and forehead presents unique aesthetic and functional challenges. This article reviews the surgical anatomy of these regions and presents an algorithm for decision making in reconstructive surgery. Nonmicrosurgical techniques are briefly reviewed. The microsurgical reconstruction of scalp and forehead defects differs from the more common oropharyngeal reconstructions in several ways, including flap choices, choices for recipient vessels, and the opportunity to use conventional and microsurgical techniques simultaneously to improve outcomes. Each of these considerations is reviewed and the authors' preferred techniques presented.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

Choice of recipient vessels in delayed TRAM flap breast reconstruction after radiotherapy.

This study compared the use of the internal mammary and thoracodorsal recipient vessels in a uniform group of patients who underwent delayed TRAM flap reconstruction after radiotherapy, focusing on usability rates and outcomes. The authors identified 123 delayed TRAM flap patients who had undergone postmastectomy radiotherapy from a prospective database (1990 to 2001). Recipient vessel unusability rates were calculated on the basis of reports of inspection of a vessel, either by direct intraoperative dissection or by findings from color Doppler examination (internal mammary vessels only). Charts were reviewed for outcomes including flap loss, vascular complications, fat necrosis, and lymphedema; t-test and chi-square analyses were performed to compare outcomes and unusability rates, and multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors influencing outcome. Of the 123 planned free TRAM flaps, 106 were completed as free flaps and 17 were performed as pedicled flaps because of unusable recipient vessels. Of the free flaps, 45 were anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels, 55 to the thoracodorsal vessels, and six to other vessels. The internal mammary and thoracodorsal groups did not differ significantly in body mass index, abdominal scars, smoking history, time delay between irradiation and TRAM flap reconstruction, or flap ischemia time. Radiation doses to the axilla (thoracodorsal), internal mammary chain, and supraclavicular fossa were similar between the groups. The internal mammary vessels were rejected in 11 (20 percent) of 56 cases, and the thoracodorsal vessels were rejected in 19 (26 percent) of 74 cases (p = 0.42). In cases with unusable internal mammary vessels, 46 percent (n = 5) had inadequate veins, 27 percent (n = 3) had inadequate arteries, and in 27 percent (n = 3) both vessels were inadequate. In the 19 cases with unusable thoracodorsal vessels, 84 percent (n = 16) were excessively scarred, 11 percent (n = 2) had inadequate vessels, and 5 percent (n = 1) were absent. Outcomes were similar regardless of recipient vessels used (internal mammary versus thoracodorsal): total flap loss, 0 percent versus 4 percent (p = 0.20); vascular complications, 6.7 percent versus 11 percent (p = 0.46); arm lymphedema, 4.4 percent versus 9 percent (p = 0.37); partial flap loss, 9 percent versus 6 percent (p = 0.54); and fat necrosis, 18 percent versus 15 percent (p = 0.69). Multivariate analysis revealed a trend for higher complication rates in smokers and with the use of the thoracodorsal vessels as the recipients. Overall, no discernible unusability or outcome differences were detected between the internal mammary and thoracodorsal groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Management of lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma: seminars in surgical oncology.

Lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) represent a character, histogenetic subclass of melanocytic malignancies. They often present with a prolonged phase of slow growth but once invasion has occurred, the prognostic features are identical to all other melanomas. These lesions occur primarily on the head and neck where they evolve from areas of pigmented staining to the more typical features identifiable with malignant melanomas on other skin surfaces. The treatment options and recent advances in management are reviewed.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗