NICE 2022 guidelines on the management of melanoma: Update and implications.

AIMS: In July 2022, NICE updated the guidelines on the management of melanoma by lowering the number of follow-up appointments and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) but increasing the number of scans. This study aims to evaluate the implications of executing the new guidelines in terms of cost-effectiveness and personnel. METHODS: All patients newly diagnosed with melanoma in 2019 at a regional skin cancer specialist center were reviewed. Data were analyzed for their journey on an idealized pathway modeled over a 5-year follow-up period when adhering to both the previous and new guidelines. Differences in the management of melanoma were elucidated by comparing these changes. The cost was quantified on a perpatient basis and the financial implication on each department was considered. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients were diagnosed with melanoma in 2019, stages I-III. The changes ease the burden on plastic surgery and dermatology; however, increased pressure is faced by radiologists and histopathologists. An overall cost benefit of £141.85 perpatient was calculated, resulting in a decrease of 1.22 hospital visits on average and an increase in the time spent there (19.55 min). The additional expenses of implementing the new guidelines due to the added BRAF tests, CT, and ultrasound scans are outweighed by savings from the reduction in follow-up appointments and SLNB. CONCLUSION: The focus has shifted to less invasive procedures for lower melanoma stages and fewer follow-up appointments, at the expense of more genetic testing and imaging. This paper serves as a useful baseline for other centers to plan their service provision and resource allocation to adhere to the updated guidelines.

Efficacy of Periconceptional High-Dose Folic Acid in Isolated Orofacial Cleft Prevention: A Systematic Review.

Background The effectiveness of folic acid in prevention of neural tube defects has been well established. Periconceptional supplementation of folic acid in low doses has been shown to be effective in some studies on its efficacy in prevention of occurrence of clefts. There are few studies on high-dose folic acid for prevention of occurrence and recurrence of clefts in high risk cases and the overall consensus based on these is not available. Objectives The aim of this review is to assess whether high-dose folic acid supplementation during the periconceptional period reduces the risk of occurrence of nonsyndromic clefts and recurrence in high-risk cases. Search Methods Search was conducted in the various databases and trial registers. There were no restrictions in the search with regards to language, study setting, or date of publication. Results The search yielded four studies-one randomized control trial, two prospective control trials, and a case-control surveillance on screening 401 articles. The three case-control studies were specifically on recurrence of clefts in high risk cases. The heterogeneity of the studies prevented conduction of a meta-analysis. But results of the studies demonstrate a strong association between high-dose folic acid and isolated nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±CP). But such an effect is weak with regards to isolated cleft palate (CP). Conclusions With the limited evidence available, our conclusion is that high-dose folic acid probably has a role in prevention of recurrence of isolated CL±CP in high-risk individuals, but not CP.

Outcomes of Closed Versus Open Technique of Rhinoplasty During Primary Repair of Unilateral Cleft Lip: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Primary cleft rhinoplasty has almost become the norm in cleft practice. Although various closed and open rhinoplasty techniques are in use, there is no consensus as to which technique is superior in terms of outcome. The authors hypothesized that the long-term outcomes of open rhinoplasty during primary cleft lip repair in unilateral cleft is better than that of the closed method. This systematic review has been done to evaluate the hypothesis by a review and analysis of literature. METHODS: Protocol was registered on the PROSPERO register of systematic reviews. PRISMA-P guidelines for the conduct of systematic review were followed. Literature search was done in various databases. The inclusion criteria were patients with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip undergoing rhinoplasty with primary cleft lip repair and preference given to studies comparing the 2 procedures. RESULTS: Sixteen articles were selected based on inclusion criteria after screening 522 articles-1 randomized controlled trial, 2 retrospective cohorts, and 13 case series. Both closed and open techniques have achieved good symmetry of nostrils with no impairment of growth. No advantage of one technique over the other was noted. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of randomized controlled trials and prospective studies on the subject to arrive at an evidence-based recommendation as to whether open or closed rhinoplasty during primary cleft lip repair gives better long-term outcomes. Due to insufficient evidence, the authors are not able to support or refute the hypothesis put forward in the review.

A Combination Flap for Nasal Defect Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Nasal reconstruction is a common plastic surgery procedure following cancer resection. Whereas most small and medium defects are managed using standard local flaps, reconstructive options available for large defects of the nose such as a heminasal defect are very few. Most of the large defects are usually managed using a forehead flap, which involves at least 2 stages or using free tissue transfer. The author describes a combination flap that can be used for reconstruction of heminasal defects as well as lateral wall defects. METHODS: A cheek advancement flap with the nasolabial flap incorporated in it as a combined flap was used for reconstructing heminasal defects and lateral wall defects in 11 patients. Four of the cases were following Mohs surgery for skin cancer, and others, primary reconstruction following wide excision of skin cancer. Five of the cases required cartilage support with or without lining, and others were skin-only defects. All were done as single-stage procedures. RESULTS: The cases were followed up over a period ranging from 6 to 18 months. There were no immediate complications in any of the cases, and all flaps survived completely. Assessment was done in terms of function, appearance, requirement for further procedures, and patient satisfaction. Outcome was deemed excellent in 8 patients. One patient had deviation of the nasal septum, and 2 patients had cheek scars in an unfavorable direction. CONCLUSIONS: The combination flap is a simple, single-stage procedure useful for reconstruction of heminasal and lateral wall defects. This technique is easily reproducible and provides consistently good results.

Lipoedematous scalp: is there an association with fatty infiltration of the parotid?

Lipoedematous scalp (LS) is an extremely rare condition characterised by a soft and boggy consistency in the scalp due to an increased layer of subcutaneous tissue.In this report, we present a case of LS in a 64-year-old Indian woman. Clinical examination revealed only vague boggy lumpiness involving the whole of occipital scalp extending to parietal scalp. MRI scalp showed diffuse fatty infiltration of the scalp, particularly at the posterior parietal and occipital convexity extending to both lateral aspects of the cranium, with homogeneous signal in keeping with fat. Incidentally MRI also found diffuse fatty infiltration of the parotids.The aethiopathogenesis of LS is still unknown, however it is believed that the hormone leptin could be the key hormone in the dysregulation of fat deposition and distribution. This case report highlights the subtle features with which these cases can present and explores the literature on reported cases of LS.

Total Columella Reconstruction Using Nasocheek Flap and Septal Cartilage Graft.

The use of the nasocheek sulcus flap with a cartilage strut provides an aesthetically pleasing result in total columella reconstruction. This provides thin hairless skin appropriate for the subunit. Mohs surgery aids in limiting the excision to the tumor involved area, providing a complete clearance and conserving precious units, which have an impact on the reconstructive options. The method of reconstruction described here is simple and easily reproducible, providing an optimal result with almost no donor site morbidity.