Dynamic Impact of Hormone Therapy on Laboratory Values in Transgender Patients over Time.

BACKGROUND: Known physiological changes occur while transgender patients are taking hormone therapy (HT). However, knowledge is limited about when laboratory values stabilize and if there are any long-term impacts, making it challenging for physicians to provide adequate gender-affirming care. We aim to analyze laboratory values with HT use over 5 years and after discontinuation of HT to define when values achieve stability. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of 126 transgender women (TW) and 91 transgender men (TM) at consecutive clinic visits. Labs included complete metabolic panel, complete blood count, lipids, and hormone levels and were monitored for 5 years. Absolute measurement and percentage change from baseline were calculated for each analyte value. We collected the laboratory studies described from patients off HT and the duration of discontinuation to determine the time to return to baseline levels. RESULTS: During HT, red blood cell (RBC; erythrocyte) indexes reach stable levels within 6 months (P < 0.001) and are unchanged long term. Some analytes such as HDL and platelets showed increases beyond the first year of HT in TW (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). LDL and alanine aminotransferase increased beyond 1 year in TM (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas HDL decreased beyond 1 year (P < 0.001). Time for laboratory values to return to baseline occurred around 10 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Most analytes reach stable levels within 6 months (RBC and creatinine), whereas others change in the long term (LDL, HDL, platelets). This information can be used to guide physicians as they monitor their transgender patients in all stages of their progress through HT.

The Use of Local Medial Plantar Artery Flap for Heel Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue reconstruction of the heel represents a daunting challenge for reconstructive surgeons, given the weight-bearing role and anatomical properties of the glabrous skin on the plantar surface. For soft tissue defects in this area, the medial plantar artery (MPA) flap has been described as an optimal reconstructive option. Many studies have reported on the use of the medial plantar artery flap for soft tissue coverage of the heel. There currently exists no systematic review on the topic. AIM: The aim of this article is to review the literature on the use of local medial plantar artery flap for heel reconstruction with a focus on overall flap viability and selected outcomes. METHOD: The authors performed a systematic literature review using EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid Medicine, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, PubMed database, and grey literature. Studies were identified between 1981 and 2019. Peer-reviewed articles published in the English language were included. Articles were eligible if they contained original clinical outcomes on patients who underwent local medial plantar artery flap for reconstruction of heel defects. RESULTS: A total of 135 unique studies were identified. Eighteen (18) articles were included in the review and analyses, yielding a total of 277 local medial plantar artery flaps for heel coverage. The most common etiology for the reconstructed heel defect was ulcers (45.3%) followed by trauma (35.8%). The overall complete flap survival rate was n=272/277 (98.2%). The incidence of minor flap complication was n=26/277 (9.4%). Most of the flaps maintained protective sensation (n=147/148 [99.3%]), although the protective sensation tended to be inferior to the contralateral normal side. The rate of donor site morbidity was n=14/269 (5.2%). CONCLUSION: Local medial plantar artery flap for heel defect reconstruction is associated with a very high flap survival rate with very few flap related complications including donor site complications.

Association of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine With the Development of Keratinocyte Carcinomas.

Importance: Keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs), consisting of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), are the most common human malignant neoplasms. Several risk factors have been implicated in KC development. For some SCCs, particularly those in immunocompromised patients, human papillomavirus (HPV) may be an important factor. Objective: To determine whether quadrivalent HPV vaccination would affect the development of KCs in immunocompetent patients with a history of multiple KCs. Design, Setting, and Participants: Two patients with a history of multiple KCs-a man in his 70s (patient 1) and a woman in her 80s (patient 2)-were treated in a private dermatology practice. Each patient received 3 doses of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine at 0, 2, and 6 months in 2013, and both patients underwent full-body skin examinations at least every 3 months. Biopsy-proven skin cancers were recorded for 16 months (for patient 1) or 13 months (for patient 2) after the first dose of vaccine and then compared with the number of biopsy-proven skin cancers recorded over a similar period before the first dose of vaccine. The period of observation was from October 18, 2011, to June 21, 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures: The numbers of new SCCs and BCCs after the first dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. Results: Patient 1 had a mean of 12 new SCCs and 2.25 new BCCs per year before vaccination. After vaccination, he developed 4.44 SCCs and 0 BCCs per year, a 62.5% reduction in SCCs and a 100% reduction in BCCs. Patient 2 had a mean of 5.5 new SCCs and 0.92 new BCCs per year before vaccination. After vaccination, she developed 1.84 SCCs and 0 BCCs per year, a 66.5% reduction in SCCs and a 100% reduction in BCCs. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine was well tolerated by both patients and had no adverse effects. Conclusions and Relevance: A reduction of SCCs and BCCs was observed in 2 patients after administration of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. These findings highlight the possibility that cutaneous SCC development, and perhaps BCC development, may be driven in part by HPV in immunocompetent patients. Human papillomavirus vaccination may represent an efficacious, cost-effective, readily available, and well-tolerated strategy for preventing KCs.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for solid and cystic pancreatic neoplasms: outpatient postoperative management.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is a challenging procedure that has been reported in the last decade. The aim of this study is to describe our experience with laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and an outpatient postoperative management after an early hospital discharge. METHODS: Retrospective study of 11 laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies carried out at our institution between November 2005 and June 2007 for cystic and solid pancreatic neoplasms. Mean age was 55.5 years and 10 patients were females. A splenopancreatectomy was carried out in 9 cases, and a spleen-preserving resection was carried out in 2 cases. RESULTS: Mean blood loss was 73.6 mL and mean operative time was 238.3 minutes. Patients were able to tolerate regular diet after a mean of 1.2 days and were discharged with a drain after a mean of 2.3 days. Two patients developed a mild pancreatic fistula that resolved with conservative management. One patient developed a pancreatic pseudocyst that was followed up with an MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is feasible with a fast postoperative recovery. We recommend close follow-up of the patient in the outpatient clinic and maintaining the intraabdominal drain until a pancreatic fistula can be ruled out based on biochemical analysis of the fluid.