Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes various complications over time, one such complication is diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), which are challenging to treat and can lead to amputation. Additionally, a system for accurate prediction of amputation has yet to be developed. In total, 131 patients were included in the study after retrospectively collecting data from 2016 to 2020 about DFU. The collected data were used for comparison of the accuracy between five existing classification systems and the newly revised DIRECT coding system, and investigation of risk factors for lower extremity amputation (LEA). The existing five classification systems and DIRECT system can effectively predict LEA. The DIRECT3 system has three elements, C‐reactive protein (CRP), ulcer history (UH), and hypertension (HTN) in addition to those of the DIRECT system. It had a high predictive value and accuracy similar to that of Wagner and University of Texas (UT) on depth among the five classification systems. Among the statistically significant risk factors, duration of DM and HTN, haemoglobin (Hb), CRP, and UH showed an association with LEA. The DIRECT coding system is effective for predicting LEA and explaining appropriate treatment methods for DFU, and is widely applicable because of its user accessibility and convenience.

Flap surgery is a common method used to cover defects following tumor ablation, trauma, or infection. However, insufficient vascularity in the transferred flap can lead to flap necrosis and failure. Proper postoperative monitoring is essential to prevent these complications. Recently, research has explored the use of infrared thermal imaging in plastic surgery, leading to its clinical application. This study comprises two separate parts: an in vivo experimental study and a clinical study. In this study, 28 rats underwent reverse McFarlane flap surgery, and their flaps were analyzed using a FLIR thermal imaging camera seven days post-surgery. Additionally, thermal images of flaps were taken on postoperative days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 7 in 22 patients. This study focused on temperature differences between normal skin and the perforator compared to the average flap temperature. Results showed that the temperature difference was higher in the necrosis group and increased over time in cases of total necrosis. A lower perforator temperature compared to the flap’s average indicated vascular compromise, potentially leading to flap failure. The FLIR camera, being contact-free and convenient, shows promise for understanding and inferring the clinical progression of flaps in postoperative monitoring.

Background: The reconstruction of large full-thickness alar defects requires complex surgical procedures that are usually performed in two stages, with concomitant disadvantages in terms of patient trauma, surgical risk, and cost. This study presents a functional folded nasolabial island flap (FNIF) that can be used to repair large-sized full-thickness alar defects in a straightforward manner.Methods: This retrospective study included seven patients who received a FNIF for a full-thickness alar defect between January 2007 and December 2020. The FNIF is different from the conventional nasolabial flap in that it is folded and twisted to achieve nostril reconstruction with a satisfactory three-dimensional mucosal lining in a single stage. The cosmetic and functional results of FNIF were evaluated by both patients and physicians.Results: The age ranged from 51 to 82 years (mean, 65.6 years). The causes of the defects were squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and trigeminal trophic syndrome. The nostril lining did not collapse, there was no hypertrophic scarring, and air movement through the nostrils on the flap side was normal. Overall, FNIF produced excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes, with minimal patient discomfort. There were no postoperative complications.Conclusion: Compared with existing reconstruction methods for large full-thickness alar defects, FNIF can easily achieve aesthetic and functional success in a single-stage procedure. It provides satisfactory results for both the patient and the surgeon.

Sebaceous neoplasms are rare adnexal tumors that can present a challenge to clinicians. Only four cases of sebaceous carcinoma with sebaceoma have been reported in the literature. Herein, we describe the case of a sebaceous carcinoma originating from a sebaceoma in a solitary nodule of the posterior neck. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for epithelial membrane antigen and p53. It is possible that adnexal carcinomas may arise from malignant transformation of their benign counterparts as well as de novo. Malignant transformation was likely in this case because the lesion was composed of distinct benign and malignant components, and the benign component showed the typical histopathological features of sebaceoma. This case underscores the fact that partial and superficial biopsies sometimes may not provide the correct diagnosis. If a surgeon suspects malignancy based on a clinical examination, then it is mandatory to perform a deep biopsy.

Head and neck cutaneous metastasis of advanced gastric cancer is uncommon, and scalp metastasis is particularly rare. We present the case of a 60-year-old man who was diagnosed with cutaneous metastasis on the scalp originating from advanced gastric cancer. The patient was referred to the plastic surgery department for a scalp mass near the hairline. He had been diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer and undergone total gastrectomy and Roux esophagojejunostomy 3 years previously. The differential diagnosis for a single flesh-colored nodule on the scalp included benign tumors such as epidermal cyst or lipoma; therefore, the patient underwent excision and biopsy. In the operative field, the mass was found to be located in the frontalis muscle. The biopsy result showed that the mass was a metastatic lesion of advanced gastric cancer. Whole-body computed tomography revealed a gastric tumor with blood vessel infiltration, peritoneal carcinomatosis, liver metastasis, and multiple disseminated subcutaneous metastases. Although scalp metastasis originating from an internal organ is extremely rare, plastic surgeons should always consider a metastatic lesion in the differential diagnosis if a patient with a scalp lesion has a history of malignant cancer.

Lee YJ, et al. Ann Dermatol. 2019 Feb;31(1):93-96. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2019.31.1.93