New Approach to the Care of Suction Drain Insertion Site by Using Occlusive Transparent Film Dressing

The closed suction drain is commonly inserted after various surgical procedures. It has an important role to prevent possible hematoma or seroma that can cause postoperative wound problems. But there is still no consensus on managing the insertion site of suction drain after operation. Suture-tie fixation of drain to skin and classical Y shape gauze dressing is a usually accepted method, but it has many limitations. We introduce a new approach to the care for the insertion site of suction drain by using occlusive transparent film dressing, IV3000(R)(Smith & Nephew, London, UK). By using transparent film, insertion site of drain can be easily checked without removal of dressing. Because it can reduce the tension of suture-tie fixation, it helps to prevent skin injury. Furthermore, occlusive film dressing can block air leakage from insertion site of drain, and the water-proof character of film allows patients to take a shower without dressing change. This new method is more convenient, more efficient, and less harmful to skin than classic one.

Evaluation of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Metastasis Using Positron Emission Topography/CT

Merkel cell carcinoma is rare skin malignancy originated from epidermal mechanoreceptor of neural origin. The tumor usually affects older individuals at sun exposed area such as head, neck and extremity. Subclinical involvement of regional lymph node is reported frequently at the time of initial treatment. Thus even asymptomatic patients who present with clinically localized tumor should undergo evaluation with computed tomography and lymphangiography. Positron emission tomography(PET) scans can imaging the metabolic difference of malignant tumors. Increased glucose uptake of malignant tumor cells are detected by PET scanner. PET scans can provide qualitative and quantitative informations about systemic metastasis of tumors. Although there are no data that define the efficacy of PET scans in the initial diagnostic evaluation of head and neck cancer, they could be considered. Current standards of treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma is wide surgical excision and regional lymphadenectomy if there are suspicious lymph nodes. The author reported a patient with Merkel cell carcinoma of cheek. Wide surgical excision and postoperative PET/CT was done for evaluation of regional lymph node and distant metastasis. There were two hot-uptakes in patient's neck, so they were considered as metastatic node, but finally they were proved to be tuberculosis lymphadenitis after excision.