Possibility of Local Recurrence Caused by Surgical Instruments in the Mouse Skin Cancer Model

PURPOSE: The goal of cancer surgery is complete removal of cancer tissue and prevention of recurrence. Surgeons can change the surgical instruments after total resection of the cancer mass. The purpose of this procedure is to prevent dissemination of the cancer cells attached to the surgical instruments. Authors hypothesize the possibility of local recurrence caused by the cancer cells attached to the surgical instruments in the skin cancer cases. METHODS: Skin cancers were induced by using DMBA-TPA two-stage carcinogenesis model in 10 of Balb/c mice. In 2-weeks, skin cancer was developed in all 10 mice. cancer cell attached surgical instruments were made by pinching the removed cancer tissue using Adson tissue forcep 10, 20, 30 times each. To count number of cancer cells in each forcep with different number of pinching was done, the forceps were washed in 30 mL of the normal saline and Cytospin preparation was done. To make recurrence models from cancer cell attached surgical instrument, three incisions were made in normal skin of each mouse, and local seeding was done by pinching subcutaneous tissue in 10, 20, 30 times each by using Adson teeth forceps mentioned above as cancer cell attached surgical instrument. RESULTS: All skin cancers were squamous cell carcinoma. Local recurrences were developed in 7 mice (3 in 10 times forceping site, 2 in 20 times forceping and 3 in 30 times forceping). In the cytospin test, the mean number of squamous cells in 100 microscope was 28.6 in 10 times, 47.2 in 20 times, 93.6 in 30 times, respectively. P value was 0.002 in Wilcoxon-Sign test. CONCLUSION: The number of cell count was significantly increased as number of pinching was increased. And these cells are able to induce local recurrence by local seeding. Considering this result, authors are able to confirm that the minimal handling in cancer surgery is important factor to prevent local recurrence.

New Tie-over Dressing Method Using Hooks and Rubber Bands

PURPOSE: Though its general usage, traditional tie-over dressing using suture has a few drawbacks such as difficulty in re-fixation after its opening especially when hematoma or seroma has occurred. It is rather difficult to maintain a stable dressing on curvy parts of body like flank, buttocks and that leads to unsatisfactory results of the surgery. Authors recommend a quick and repeatedly doable method, tie-over dressing that incorporates the usage of hooks and rubber bands. METHODS: Debridement was done at a recipient site to be able to do skin graft. A right size of skin graft was prepared and placed upon the defect site with suture. Enough number of hooks were attached using Blue nylon at the normal skin of the edge of grafted area. We Applied dressing with ointment and fluffy gauze then fixed the dressing by attaching a rubber band at the hook to give a certain amount of tension. One or two days after the surgery, we opened the tie-over dressing and repeated the tie-over dressing by reusing the hooks and rubber band. RESULTS: The skin grafts were all successfully taken and by repeating tie-over dressing using hooks and rubber, we could take the advantage of shortened the dressing time and eliminate the inconvenience of the patient and the surgeon by using bandages and fixing tapes. CONCLUSION: The advantage of tie over dressing using hooks and rubber bsnds are its easy re-doability early detection of probable complications, preventability of reoccurence of hematoma and seroma. Therefore, authors report this as considering the tie-over dressing using hooks and rubber bands is recommendable.