Purpose of Review The main surgical treatment for invasive malignant melanoma consists of wide surgical and examination of the sentinel node and in selected cases complete lymph node dissection. The aim of this review is to present data for the optimal surgical management of patients with malignant melanoma. Recent Findings A surgical excision margin of 1–2 cm is recommended for invasive melanoma depending on the thickness of the melanoma. Sentinel node biopsy may be considered for patients with at least T1b melanomas thickness 0.8 to 1.0 mm or less than 0.8 mm Breslow thickness with ulceration, classified as T1b lesion, per recent AJCC guidelines. Two randomized controlled trials have been published—DeCOG (German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group Selective Lymphadenectomy) and MSLT-2 (Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial) comparing the complete lymph node dissection (CLND) with observation after positive sentinel node biopsy. In the MSLT-2 study, the disease control rate was improved in the immediate CLND group compared with observation but there was no difference in 3-year melanoma specific survival (86% ± 1.3% and 86% ± 1.2%, respectively; p = 0.42). Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) or isolated limb infusion (ILI) with melphalan and actinomycin D is recommended for large and multiple in-transit metastases and satellite metastases in the extremities when local excision is considered ineffective or too extensive. Summary In light of new adjuvant treatment options and new indications for checkpoint inhibitors, and the lack of survival benefit after CLND, we can expect open surgery to decrease in melanoma disease.

This large nationwide study showed a decreasing incidence of rAAA. Individuals with low SEP were found to have an augmented risk of presenting with rAAA rather than iAAA and, in addition, to fare worse after repair. Consequently, SEP should be regarded as a relevant risk factor that should be included in considerations for improved care flow of patients with AAA.

BackgroundAbdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an asymptomatic, potentially lethal condition predominantly found in elderly. The mortality is 100 % if rupture occurs and left untreated, but even in treated patients the mortality is substantial. Female sex and treatment with open repair rather than endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) have been reported to negatively affect outcome. The objective was to describe the contemporary care and outcome of all treated and untreated patients with ruptured AAA (rAAA) admitted to hospital.MethodPopulation-based retrospective investigation, including all patients admitted to the emergency departments within Stockholm County diagnosed with rAAA 2009–2013. All identified patients’ charts (n = 297) were analyzed; the study cohort includes 283 verified patients.ResultsMen were in majority [214 (76 %), 69 (24 %) women] and were younger than women (78 vs 82 years, p < 0.001). A majority of patients were treated (212/283, 75 %), a similar proportion of women and men. Untreated patients had a higher mean age (84 vs 77 years, p < 0.001). The proportion treated with EVAR was 27 %, and they were older than OR treated (79 vs 76 years, p = 0.043). Forty-seven percentage of patients admitted with rAAA survived 30 days, and 62 % of treated patients survived 30 days. The 30-day mortality for women and men was similar.ConclusionsOur results and other contemporary series show a shift toward a higher rate of treated patients with rAAA, and improving outcomes, similar for women and men. The increased use of EVAR contributes to this improvement in short-term outcome. High age influences the willingness to treat patients with rAAA.

Background: Data are conflicting on sex differences in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair rates and outcomes have rarely been addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the management and outcome of rAAA in men and women, and to describe time trends over a 15-year interval.Methods: Data on patients with rAAA were extracted from the Swedish National Patient Registry and the Cause of Death Registry for the interval 2001-2015. The study included patients with rAAA whether or not they were admitted to any hospital in Sweden. A propensity score-matched model was used to determine sex differences in repair type and outcome after rupture. Time trends for rAAA events and mortality were investigated.Results: Some 10 724 patients were identified. A higher percentage of men were admitted to hospital (79⋅8 versus 77⋅5 per cent; P = 0⋅011). Of those admitted, a higher percentage of men than women were treated (56⋅6 versus 40⋅4 per cent, P < 0⋅001). Women were less likely to be treated when diagnosed with rAAA (average treatment effect (ATE) in the model -0⋅080, 95 per cent c.i. -0⋅106 to -0⋅055; P < 0⋅001). Thirty-day mortality was also higher in women (ATE 0⋅094, 0⋅053 to 0⋅135; P < 0⋅001); this effect persisted to 1 year (ATE 0⋅095, 0⋅052 to 0⋅137; P < 0⋅001). Time trends indicated a decrease in rAAA incidence, mostly owing to a decrease among men.Conclusion: In this study, fewer women with rAAA received surgery and 30-day mortality was higher than in men. There was an overall decrease in rAAA incidence, principally in men.