Gender differences in surgical treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate.

Numerous gender-based differences in medical treatment have been recognized due to conscious or unconscious perceptions, i.e. gender bias. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether gender differences exist in the surgical treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) anomalies. This study is a retrospective review of 235 consecutive patients with non-syndromic unilateral CLP or bilateral CLP born between 1966 and 1986. Each chart was reviewed, and 2178 surgical procedures were registered and categorized as primary surgery (primary lip, palatal and alveolar repair) or secondary surgery (aesthetic and functional revision). Different surgical procedures could be performed during the same surgical session. The number of surgeries performed was analysed and compared between genders. The results demonstrate that women with CLP received statistically significantly more secondary surgeries than men. No differences in the number of primary surgeries were identified. This study provides a gender perspective of the treatment of CLP. We identified no gender differences in primary surgery of the CLP. The standardized method of repairing the cleft is effective in preventing unjust treatment due to gender. However, we identified an indication of gender bias in cleft care regarding secondary surgeries of the nose and lip, namely, women are over-treated and/or men are under-treated. There are several possible explanations for this phenomenon, and further studies are needed.

Single low-dose red light is as efficacious as methyl-aminolevulinate--photodynamic therapy for treatment of acne: clinical assessment and fluorescence monitoring.

This controlled study investigated single low-dose red light photodynamic therapy and methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) for treatment of moderate to severe facial acne in 19 patients. The right cheek was treated with MAL (160 mg/g) for 3 h prior to illumination. The left cheek received red light only. Both cheeks were illuminated with narrow-band red light (635 nm) at a light dose of 15 J/cm2. The global severity of acne was assessed at baseline and at follow-up, 10 and 20 weeks after treatment. Fluorescence images, clinical photographs and skin surface biopsies were obtained. Both MAL-photodynamic therapy and control areas showed a significant decrease in acne score at follow-up; no significant difference was found compared with control. MAL-photodynamic therapy was associated with adverse effects such as erythema and stinging. Fluorescence images revealed poor selectivity of MAL-induced fluorescence to the acne lesions, suggesting a general photoablating mechanism rather than selective destruction of sebaceous glands. No significant reduction in Propionibacterium acnes or sebum excretion was found.

Photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris: a pilot study of the dose-response and mechanism of action.

Acne vulgaris does not always respond to conventional therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as a treatment option. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal light dose for effective PDT treatment of acne and to investigate whether PDT reduces sebum excretion and the amount of Propionibacterium acnes. Fifteen patients (9 men, 6 women, age range 16-44 years, mean age 25 years) with mild to severe acne were enrolled in an open, unblinded study. Aminolaevulinic acid cream (20% in Unguentum Merck) was applied on two circular areas 3 h before PDT. The areas of investigation were irradiated with red light (635 nm) from a Waldman PDT 1200 lamp. Ten patients with facial acne were treated with a light dose of 50 J/cm(2) on the right cheek and 30 J/cm(2) on the left cheek. Five patients with acne on their back were treated either with 50 J/cm(2) or with 70 J/cm(2). Clinical follow-up was performed for at least 10 weeks. In the patients with facial acne, sebum excretion was determined before PDT and at every follow-up visit. The amount of P. acnes was measured in a skin surface biopsy using a cyano-acrylate polymer to extract the content of the sebaceous follicles. In 9 patients with facial acne the improvement of lesions was the same for the two light doses. According to the patients' own assessment, 8 improved after PDT (p=0.02). No difference was found between the two doses in patients with acne on the back. Hyperpigmentation was more common at higher doses of light, and pain was experienced more often by the patients when higher doses were used. No significant reduction in P. acnes or sebum excretion was found at any time after PDT. It is concluded that PDT could be an alternative treatment of acne lesions. The lowest possible light dose should be used for minimal side-effects. Other mechanisms of action for PDT than eradication of P. acnes and sebosuppression should be considered.