Expert Opinion Regarding Appropriately Timing Dermatological Surgeries in Patients With Recent Myocardial Infarctions.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the risk of perioperative myocardial infarctions (MIs) in patients with a recent MI who undergo dermatologic surgeries. OBJECTIVE: Present the recommendations of dermatologic surgeons and cardiologists to determine the safety of dermatologic surgeries after a recent MI. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to Mohs surgeons and cardiologists to infer the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) inherent to dermatologic surgery and determine timing of dermatologic surgery in patients with a recent MI. RESULTS: One hundred twenty Mohs surgeons and 30 cardiologists were surveyed. Ninety-seven percent of cardiologists and 87% of Mohs surgeons deemed cutaneous excisions and Mohs micrographic surgery as low-risk procedures with less than one-percent chance of MACE. Seventy-seven percent of cardiologists and 46% of Mohs surgeons stated dermatologic surgery should either not be delayed or be delayed up to 1 month after an MI. Responses between cardiologists and Mohs surgeons did not significantly differ. CONCLUSION: A preponderance of surveyed experts believe that most dermatologic surgeries may be safely performed in patients with a history of an MI within 1 month. The decision to implement urgent dermatologic surgery in patients with a recent MI should account for all clinically significant factors.

Terry's Nails: A Sign of Systemic Disease.

Terry's nails are a type of apparent leukonychia, characterized by ground glass opacification of nearly the entire nail, obliteration of the lunula, and a narrow band of normal, pink nail bed at the distal border. The aim of this study is to guide clinical practice by reviewing all of the data concerning Terry's nail that have become available since the original description by Terry in 1954, with particular reference to all clinical features, associated medical conditions, pathogenesis, and necessary workup. PubMed was searched using the keywords "leukonychia" and "Terry nails." Although the abnormality can occur with normal aging, Terry's nails can also be an indication of an underlying medical condition, most notably, cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, and congestive heart failure. A change in nail bed vascularity, secondary to overgrowth of connective tissue, is thought to be responsible, with nail bed biopsy revealing telangiectasias in the distal band. The differential diagnosis for Terry's nails includes half-and-half nails (Lindsay's nails), Muehrcke's nails, and true leukonychia totalis/partialis. Having the ability to delineate these nail findings can be a valuable tool in clinical practice as each entity is associated with a different set of systemic conditions. Terry's nails highlight the intimate connection between nail changes and systemic disease as well as the importance of thorough nail inspection with every physical examination.