Predictors of sentinel lymph node status and onset of regional lymph nodes metastases in melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: Several clinico-pathological characteristics such as age, sex, tumour localization, Breslow thickness, ulceration, mitotic count, vessel invasion and the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes have been identified as independent prognostic factors for relapse and overall survival of patients with skin melanoma. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of primary melanoma which predict sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity and the onset of regional lymph nodes metastases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients who underwent surgery for malignant skin melanoma, divided into examined and control group, were analyzed. In the patients from the examined group SLN were marked with 1% solution of methylene blue, removed and histologically examined. The radical lymphadenectomy was performed as a separate procedure in the patients with SLN positive for metastasis. We analysed the differences in age, sex, tumour location, tumour area, primary tumour thickness, Clark levels of invasion, lymphocytic infiltration and presence of ulcerations in patients in the examined group and the control group and the correlation of the examined variables with the onset of metastases in the SLN. RESULTS: The results showed that the differences between the groups were statistically significant only for the primary melanoma thickness and the Clark level of invasion. There was a significant difference in the intensity of the lymphocytic infiltration between the SLN negative patients and the patients from the control group. A statistically significant correlation with SLN positive status was found only with the Clark level of invasion.

The advantages of the application of amnion membrane in the treatment of burns.

A crucial and important factor for successful treatment of burns is the early covering of the burned area with skin substitutes. The covering of the burn requires material that restores the epidermal function and integrates itself into the process of healing. Biological dressings are the golden standard for the temporary covering of burns. All biological skin substitutes are susceptible to early graft reaction and the only exception is the amnion membrane. The importance of the amnion membrane as a biological dressing for burns amounts to: a barrier to bacterial colonization, hastens the epithelisation, and control of water loss. Amnioplasty is a method of application of amnion membrane on the recipient site. In this comparative study, 60 patients with dermal and sub-dermal burns were included. Research was made on an examination group of 30 patients with burns where the method of amnioplasty was applied, and for this amnion membrane conserved in 76% alcohol was used. The control group was made up of 30 patients with burns treated conventionally, and standard methods for the local treatment of burns were applied: exposition, occlusive dressing and initial excision with skin grafting. Pathohistological and microbiological analyses of the bioptical material were made. The degree of the burns was determined through a pathohistological analysis of the bioptical material taken the third day, and in some of the subjects where re-epithelialization was determined on the seventh day, the further re-epithelialization was observed clinically. Pathohistological examination enabled discrimination between bacterial colonization and the invasive bacterial infection. Furthermore, the type of bacterial colonization and infection was determined, which was confirmed with microbiological analysis. The analysis of the results from the microbiological and pathohistological researches of the bioptical material according to the bacterial colonization and infection showed that, although between the examined and the control group there was no statistically important difference, the value of p = 0.067 is close to the statistically important value of p < 0.05. The results of the pathohistological examination of the bioptical material taken the seventh day and analysed according to the re-epithelialization showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups of p < 0.035. It should be mentioned that, although according to the microbiological examinations of the bioptical material a statistically significant difference was not achieved, clinical significance was achieved. The obtained significance of p < 0.035 compared to the re-epithelialization in both groups approved the application of the method of amnioplasty. The histological analysis of the bioptical material not only determines the degree of the burns specifically, but facilitates the choice of method for further treatment, observes the speed of the re-epithelialization and plays an important part in the correct diagnosis and the early start of the specific therapy, important in preventing sepsis. The application of amnion membrane as a biological dressing speeds the re-epithelialization and prevents invasive bacterial infection. Pathohistological examination of the burns is recommended to be established as a standard method in clinical practice.

Our experience in treatment of pressure ulcers by using local cutaneous flaps.

Pressure ulcers appear in very ill patients and in states of prolonged immobilization. They are quite frequent in intensive care units and in paraplegic individuals. The expenses for their sanation are huge, due to the complicity of the long-lasting treatment. Shallow and superficial pressure ulcers are treated conservatively. Deep ones, with expressive underlying bone prominence in which no regression is on-going, are better to be treated operatively, if possible. Thus the hospitalisation period and the need for frequent dressings are shortened, preventing enormous scars (sanatio per secundam intentionem of the wound) and the risk of subsequent infection. What is also important for the treatment of the prime disease is that the patient can rehabilitate earlier. There are many methods of excision of the ulcer, ablation of the bone prominence and coverage of the defect with different types of flaps afterwards. Although muscle flaps can be utilized, we assume that their use additionally influences the general condition of the patient (malnutrition and anaemia always co-exist). Thus we find our way of treatment less traumatising and better, if pliable, for decubital ulcers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical results after an operative treatment of deep decubital ulcers (III and IV grade) with local dermal flaps and to promote the method of their closure. We paid special attention to ablation of the bone prominence. We used local pivotal adipose-cutaneous flaps in order to cover the cleansed tissue defect. The types of flaps employed were unilateral and bilateral rotation flaps, transposition and bipedicular flaps. Our series covered 23 patients who were operated on in the last 10 years, of whom 16 (69.6%) had a spinal cord injury (paraplegic). Pressure ulcers in the sacral region dominated with 12 cases (52.2%). The operative techniques that we used were as follows: unilateral rotation flaps (in 7 patients), bilateral rotation flap (in 1 patient), transposition flaps (in 10 patients), bipedicular flaps (in 2 patients), free skin Thiersch auto-transplant (in 2 patients) and direct closure of the defect (in 1 patient). The results advocate the justification of these ways of treatment of pressure ulcers, with few early and late complications.