Clinico-epidemiological characteristics and long-term surgical outcome of basal cell carcinoma treated with standard excision in patients of skin of colour: A retrospective study from Northern India.

Background There is scant data on basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in Indian patients. This retrospective study was conducted to explore epidemiology, risk factors, clinical and pathological aspects, and long-term treatment outcomes of BCC in a cohort of North Indian patients. Methods Data about patients registered in the dermatosurgery clinic between 01 January 2017 and 31 December 2022 with a confirmed diagnosis of BCC was collected. Results Among the 83 patients, 56.6% were females, and the median age was 62 years (6-85 years). Most patients (81.9%) had a single BCC lesion, resulting in a total of 126 assessed lesions. The median size of BCC at presentation was 1.90 cm, with nodular BCC being the most common histopathological subtype (39.7%). Head and neck region involvement was observed in 82.5% of patients, with the malar region, nose, and periorbital region being the most commonly affected sites. Pigmentation was clinically evident in 45.2% of cases. Surgical excision was the primary treatment modality (71.1% of patients). The median follow-up duration was 40 months (6-57 months). Recurrence occurred in five patients, with a longer disease-free survival period observed in the surgically treated group (55.58 ± 0.98 months) compared to patients treated with medical or destructive therapies (43.6 ± 3.482 months) (p = 0.003). Conclusion The data from this hospital-based study indicated a slight predilection for females among North Indian patients with BCC, with most cases occurring during their seventh decade of life. The condition commonly occurred on sun-exposed areas such as the malar region and nose, with a high percentage of pigmented lesions. Recurrence following surgical excision was rare, and overall treatment outcomes were favourable.

Management of pain in the inpatient and non-surgical outpatient dermatology settings: A narrative review.

Pain is frequently encountered in dermatology practice, which impairs the activities of daily living, adds to psychological morbidity, and therefore compromises the quality of life. It ranges from mild to severe in intensity across various dermatoses and requires prompt addressal and treatment. Diseases such as extensive pemphigus vulgaris and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are especially painful and require a multidisciplinary approach with the involvement of a pain specialist in their management. The main pathogenic types of pain include visceral nociceptive, somatic nociceptive, and neuropathic types, the latter two being most relevant in dermatological disorders. Somatic nociceptive pain is often seen in patients of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/ Toxic epidermal necrolysis, epidermolysis bullosa, pemphigus vulgaris, erythema nodosum, and hidradenitis suppurativa, while neuropathic pain is part of the disease process in dermatoses like leprosy, herpes zoster, and dysesthesia syndromes. Therapeutic approaches to pain management include the use of non-opioids (acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents), opioids, and non-pharmacological therapies, along with appropriate management of the underlying dermatosis. World Health Organisation (WHO) analgesic ladder remains the most commonly employed guideline for the management of pain, although treatment needs individualisation depending on the nature and severity of pain (acute/chronic), type of dermatosis, and patient factors. There is a paucity of literature pertaining to pain management in dermatology and this topic is often neglected due to a lack of awareness and knowledge of the topic. The present review aims to discuss the pain pathway, various painful conditions in the setting of medical dermatology practice, and their management along with relevant pharmacology of the commonly used analgesics.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Sterile Silicone Studs Versus Lidocaine for the Attenuation of the Hemodynamic Response to Skull Pin Insertion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Skull pin insertion causes hypertension and tachycardia that adversely affects cerebral hemodynamics. We compared the efficacy of sterile silicone studs (SS) and pin site infiltration with lidocaine in attenuation of the sympathetic response to skull pin insertion. METHODS: Adult patients (N = 120) undergoing supratentorial craniotomy under general anesthesia were randomized to receive either medical-grade sterile SS or 2 mL of 2% plain lidocaine infiltration at each pin site. Hemodynamic (heart rate and mean arterial pressure) response to skull pin insertion at baseline and at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes after skull pin insertion was compared. Requirement of rescue analgesia (fentanyl), complications such as pin-site bleeding, and surgeon satisfaction score were assessed. RESULTS: Heart rate in the lidocaine group was significantly greater at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes after pin insertion compared with the SS group (P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure was also significantly higher in the lidocaine group at 0, 1, 2, and 3 minutes after pin insertion (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, P = 0.034, and P = 0.042) compared with the SS group. The number of patients requiring fentanyl [17/60 (28.3%) vs. 40/60 (66%), P = 0.001] was lower in the SS group. The incidence of pin site bleeding was also lower in the SS group, and surgeon satisfaction score was greater. CONCLUSIONS: Sterile SS appear to be more effective than lidocaine infiltration in attenuating the hemodynamic response to skull pin insertion with minimal adverse effects. Further multicenter studies are necessary to conclusively establish the safety and efficacy of sterile SS.

Hyperosmolar Therapy in Elderly Neurosurgical Patients: Comparison of the Effect of Mannitol (20%) and Hypertonic Saline (3%) on Advanced Cardiovascular Parameters Using Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Osmotherapeutic agents increase the intravascular volume by withdrawing water from the brain followed by relative hypovolemia due to diuresis leading to significant changes in systemic hemodynamics which might have adverse consequences in the elderly. We studied the effect of mannitol (20%) and hypertonic saline (HTS) (3%) on left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI) and cardiac output (CO) in elderly patients undergoing supratentorial neurosurgical procedures using transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: We recruited 28 patients aged above 65 years undergoing supratentorial craniotomy who received equiosmolar solutions of 5.35 ml/kg of 3% HTS (group HS, n = 14) or 5 ml/kg of 20% mannitol (group M, n = 14). LVOT-VTI was recorded at baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes postinfusion and CO was derived. We also recorded heart rate, blood pressure, fluid balance, brain relaxation, vasopressor use, complications, and neurological outcome. RESULTS: We found a significant decrease in LVOT-VTI at 45, and 60 minutes in group M as compared to group HS [mean (standard deviation), 16.76 (1.81) vs. 20.78 (1.87), P < 0.001, 17.4 (2.38) vs. 19.16 (2), P = 0.044, respectively]. We also found a corresponding significant fall in CO [3863.16 (845.87) vs. 4745.59 (1209.33) ml/minute, P = 0.034] and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.039), at 45 minutes in group M. Urine output was higher in group M (P < 0.001). All other parameters were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: HTS appears to be associated with better systemic hemodynamics (LVOT-VTI, CO) while providing equivalent brain relaxation as mannitol in elderly patients. A future larger study is required to confirm our preliminary findings.

Anesthetic challenges in a patient with Hirayama disease with quadriparesis and autonomic dysfunction undergoing cervical spine surgery.

Hirayama disease is a rare neurological disorder, characterized by muscular atrophy of the distal upper extremities. The occurrence of spastic quadriparesis and autonomic dysfunction is rarely reported and has important perioperative considerations during cervical spine surgery for the treatment of this disorder. The role of the anesthesiologist is vital in the thorough assessment of the patient for the involvement of the pyramidal tract, autonomic dysfunction, gastroparesis, hyperreactive airway disease, and documentation of neurological deficits. Intraoperative concerns include safe manipulation of the airway during mask ventilation and the use of a flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope during endotracheal intubation to prevent neck flexion. It is also essential to avoid drugs, leading to histamine release. The use of multimodal monitoring including bispectral index and neuromuscular monitoring is crucial to prevent delayed recovery. Anticipation and management of exaggerated hypotension in response to anesthetic induction agents and prone position is the key to a successful outcome in patients with autonomic dysfunction.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for awake spine surgery: A case report and review of the literature.

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is increasingly gaining recognition as an alternative to open microdiscectomy for the treatment of intervertebral disk herniation. Apart from the neuraxial blockade, and general anesthesia, there is literature demonstrating the performance of endoscopic lumbar discectomy under sole local anesthesia infiltration. This is particularly advantageous as an awake patient assists the surgeon by verbalizing and preventing any inadvertent nerve root damage. However, marked pain has been reported during key steps such as endoscope port installation and radiculolysis. The erector spinae plane (ESP) block is an interfascial paraspinal block that soaks the spinal nerve roots with epidural spread providing superior analgesia for endoscopic discectomy. The utility of ESP block as a perioperative analgesic technique following spine surgery is well established; there are no reports of successful endoscopic discectomy performed using this block. This article emphasizes the utility of ESP block as the sole anesthetic technique for minimally invasive spine surgery in the awake state.