Schmitt, Adam R.

BACKGROUND As the number of cutaneous surgeries continues to increase, it is important to evaluate the safety of dermatologic surgery in the outpatient setting. OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine postoperative bleeding, infection, dehiscence, and necrosis rates in office-based dermatologic surgery using large flap, large graft, and interpolation flap repairs. The authors evaluated the relationship between these complications and surgical site, closure type, repair size, antibiotic use, and antithrombotic use. METHODS Eligible patients were identified through searching the electronic medical records from one Mohs micrographic surgeon at University Hospitals Medical Center. Patient information, surgery characteristics, and complication information were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to reveal associations between each complication and closure type, repair size, repair site, antithrombotic use, and antibiotic use. RESULTS Three hundred and thirty-one reconstruction procedures after Mohs micrographic surgery and excision qualified for the study. The rates of postoperative infection, hemorrhage, hematoma, necrosis, and dehiscence were 5%, 0.3%, 2.4%, 3%, and 0.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION Complications were infrequent and non–life-threatening. The authors' results indicate that dermatologic surgery using large flaps, interpolation flaps, and large grafts is safe in the office setting.

BACKGROUND Numerous treatment modalities have been reported for squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS). Risk factors for recurrence have not been systematically reviewed. OBJECTIVE To systematically review and summarize the data on risk factors that contribute to recurrence of SCCIS. MATERIALS AND METHODS A PubMed search was completed using the terms “SCCIS,” “Bowen's disease,” “Bowen's disease and recurrence,” and “Bowen's disease and Mohs.” These sources were cross-referenced for the terms “treatment,” “management,” “therapy,” “recurrence,” and “margins.” Studies were selected on the basis of relevance and applicable treatments. RESULTS Immunosuppression was the only variable with a statistically signficant association with progression or recurrence of SCCIS. Although there were no data directly correlating subclinical lateral extension or invasive squamous cell carcinoma within SCCIS with recurrence, evidence supports both of these as common features of SCCIS. Other potential recurrence risk factors for which there are limited supporting data included tumor size, depth of follicular extension, and location. CONCLUSION Immunosuppression was the only risk factor associated with increased risk of tumor recurrence. Subclinical tumor extension and occult invasive squamous cell carcinoma are relatively common features that theoretically could increase recurrence risk. These factors should be considered when deciding upon treatment for SCCIS. Further study is required to quantify variables that influence recurrence and to identify optimal treatment options.

BACKGROUND The incidence of rare cutaneous malignancies is unknown. Current estimates of rare cutaneous malignancy incidences are based on broad epidemiologic data or single institution experiences, not population-based data. OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of several rare nonmelanoma skin cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of a population-based cohort between the years 2000 and 2010. Residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who were diagnosed with a biopsy-proven nonmelanoma skin cancer—excluding basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma—were included in this study. The primary outcome was tumor incidence. Additionally, the authors extracted patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes. RESULTS The age-adjusted and sex-adjusted incidences per 100,000 persons of multiple rare cutaneous malignancies were: atypical fibroxanthoma (1.8), sebaceous carcinoma (0.8), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (0.4), microcystic adnexal carcinoma (0.7), eccrine carcinoma (0.4), eccrine porocarcinoma (0.2), and leiomyosarcoma (0.2). CONCLUSION The authors report population-based incidences and clinical characteristics for these rare cutaneous malignancies. The immune status and smoking status of patients and the treatment and outcomes of these tumors are reported. Additional studies in a broader population are needed to further define the epidemiology and outcomes of these malignancies.