Optimal Timing of Surgical Excision in Pediatric Pilomatricoma: Association between Clinicopathological Features and Cosmetic Outcomes

BACKGROUND: The treatment of choice for pilomatricomas is surgical excision; however, data for the optimal timing of treatment and cosmetic outcomes are limited.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the optimal timing of treatment in pilomatricomas by considering clinicopathological findings and cosmetic outcomes.METHODS: Seventy-three pilomatricomas patients aged ≤15 years were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into early excision (disease duration ≤12 months, group A) and delayed excision groups (disease duration >12 months, group B). Tumor characteristics, and histopathological features with evolutionary stages were assessed. Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated by the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale (MVSS), 5-point patient satisfaction score, and complication rates.RESULTS: Group A showed better cosmetic outcomes than group B in the MVSS (1.53±1.22 vs. 3.68±1.84), 5-point patient satisfaction score (4.08±0.89 vs. 3.18±1.01), and complication rates (11.8% vs. 36.4%), respectively (p<0.05). Secondary anetoderma, tent sign, calcification, and late regressive stage (evolutionary stage IV) were more common in group B, (p<0.05). Moreover, evolutionary stages showed a positive correlation with mean MVSS (r=0.670, p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Early excision (disease duration ≤12 months) provides superior cosmetic outcomes compared to delayed procedures. Early recognition, diagnosis, and management for pediatric pilomatricomas is important to improve overall cosmetic outcomes.

Dermoscope-guided Laser Excision of a Pilomatricoma – a Novel Surgical Procedure Performed in Primary Care Settings

Hypothesis:Dermoscope-guided laser excision is applicable for some cutaneous lesions seen in primary care, particularly those in body flexures or in regions with high blood perfusion.Summary:A male patient presented with an asymptomatic mass behind his left pinna. Polarised dermoscopy revealed signs compatible with malignancy. Excision was difficult owing to the location being concave and the region being one with hyper-perfusion.Dermoscope-guided laser excision was performed. The edge of the lesion and clear margins were marked via dermoscope-guidance. Laser incisions were made following the margins. Dermoscopy confirmed precision of the incision. Upon three laser-dermoscope cycles, the mass separated itself. Laser in coagulation mode achieved haemostasis.Dermoscope-guided laser excision was performed. The edge of the lesion and clear margins were marked via dermoscope-guidance. Laser incisions were made following such margins. Dermoscopy confirmed precision of the incision. Lesion incisions and dermoscopy were then reapplied. Upon three laser-dermoscope cycles, the mass separated itself. Laser in coagulation mode achieved haemostasis.Outcome:The histopathological diagnosis was a pilomatricoma. Healing was uneventful, with minimal scarring. There was no relapse one year post-operatively.Recommendation:Investigations on dermoscope-guided laser incision and other dermoscope-guided surgical procedures in primary care settings can beconducted to evaluate the outcomes of these procedures.

Clinical results between single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy and conventional 3-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: prospective case-matched analysis in single institution / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to compare single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) with respect to clinical outcomes. METHODS: Patients with less than a 28 body mass index (BMI) and a benign gall bladder disease were enrolled in this study. From January 2011 to February 2012, 30 consecutive patients who underwent SILC were compared with 30 patients who underwent CLC during the same period. In this study, all operations were performed by one surgeon. In each group, patient characteristics and perioperative data were collected. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the preoperative characteristics. There was no significant difference in the postoperative laboratory result (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase), number of conversion and complication cases, and length of hospital stay. The operation time was significantly longer in the SILC group (78.5 +/- 17.8 minutes in SILC group vs. 34.9 +/- 5.75 minutes in CLC group, P < 0.0001). The total nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug usage during perioperative period showed significantly higher in SILC groups (162 +/- 51 mg in the SILC group vs. 138 +/- 30 mg in the CLC group), but there was no statistically significant difference in opioid usage between two groups. The postoperative pain score was significantly higher in the SILC group at second, third, and tenth postoperative day. Satisfaction of postoperative wound showed superiority in SILC group. CONCLUSION: SILC seems to be an acceptable alternative to CLC with acceptable results. However, it is not enough to propose any real benefits of SILC when compared with CLC in terms of operation time and postoperative pain.