In the clinical setting, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is applicable for the non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer and may in particular be used for margin definition prior to excision. In this regard, OCT may improve the success rate of removing tumor lesions more effectively, preventing repetitive excision, which may subsequently result in smaller excisions. In this study, we have aimed to evaluate the applicability of OCT for in vivo presurgical margin assessment of non-melanocytic skin tumors (NMSC) and to describe the feasibility of different scanning techniques. A total number of 18 patients planned for excision of lesions suspicious of NMSC were included in this study. Based on OCT, we defined the specific tumor margins on 19 lesions preoperatively using different scanning modalities. Sixty-one margin points and five complete tumor margins were analysed on 18 patients with a total of 19 lesions including 63% basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (n = 12), 16% (n = 3) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 21% of other types of skin tumors (n = 4) were classified. In 84% of the cases (n = 16), the OCT-defined lateral margins correctly indicated complete removal of the tumor. The surgical margins chosen by the surgeon never fell below the OCT-defined margin. Regarding the techniques of marginal definition, punctual tumor border scan in the perpendicular direction, with an extension of free-run scans for unsure cases can hardly be recommended. This study shows that suspected NMSC can effectively be confirmed, and furthermore, resection margin can be minimized under OCT control without reducing the rate of complete removal.

Multi-beam optical coherence tomography revealed to be a fast and promising device for assessing lesions by means of BS. Both students, who benefit from practice in handling OCT, and experts are able to perform this procedure. However, experience and training in the interpretation markedly increased sensitivity and specificity of the BS in our study. Moreover, redefinition and refining of the criteria seems necessary and may further increase the diagnostic value of OCT for NMSC.

Consequently, OCT could be a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool for the characterization and monitoring of cutaneous wound-healing processes over time.

Based on this comprehensive analysis, it seems that a periodical assessment of current research activity would be useful for the future. Data assessments should be started on European and international levels and should also be applied to other surgical and medical disciplines.

BackgroundThe acquisition of a medical professorship represents a significant step in a physician’s academic career. The responsibility as well as the honor and the associated obligations are significant; however, the requirements to become a medical professor vary in Germany.ObjectiveWe analyzed the variable requirements for prospective medical professors in Germany, with special focus on the tenure track concept and the U.S. system.MethodsBased on an online research, we queried German medical faculty regulations to obtain a medical professorship within Germany.ResultsWe analyzed 35 German universities. On average, 11 publications are required after “venia legendi” to meet professorship (apl) prerequisites (median x̅ = 10, max = 24, min = 6, n = 16), whereas 6 publications with first or last authorship are required on average (x̅ = 6, max = 16, min = 4, n = 26). In most German universities, it takes an average of 4 years after gaining habilitation to apply for a professorship (x̅ = 5 years, max = 6 years, min = 2 years). Candidates for university chair positions, however, can shorten this period by an average of 38%.DiscussionIn the German academic system, the prerequisites to gain a professorship differ among universities. Due to different scientific cooperation and exchange programs, research and academic activities have reached an intense international exchange level. Yet there is no international or even national standardization, quality assurance, and comparability to gain a medical professorship.

Non-invasive skin analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT) is limited because of the absorption and scattering properties of the tissue. There are several possibilities for enhancing OCT images. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that image quality can be improved using the hyperosmolar agents glucose and glycerol while investigating human ridged and meshed skin areas, without causing damage to the tissue. The experiments were carried out on the palm and the forearm of ten volunteers. After application of the substances in the test area, the penetration depth and image contrast were measured at intervals of 5 min for a total duration of 60 min. Both agents clearly improved the OCT imaging depth in comparison to untreated human skin. The results demonstrated that glucose had a faster diffusion rate than glycerol. Consequently, it can be concluded that the treatment with glucose or glycerol for optical clearing of the skin tissue results in an improved image quality if applied 15-25 min prior to clinical testing.

Introduction:Severe hand trauma, leading to extensive skeletal and tissue defects, requires plastic surgical reconstruction of the highest level aiming at maximizing function and aesthetics. The intention of this study was to investigate clinical parameters and resource consumption connected with severe hand injuries, with specific emphasis on a follow-up evaluation of quality of life after the reconstruction process.Materials and methods:In this retrospective study, we evaluated patients with severe hand injuries from 2013 to 2016 who had completed surgical and non-surgical treatment. Measures included total period of therapy (TPT) in days, total duration of operations including anesthesia (TOA), total duration of all operations (TO), and total number of operations (TNO). We also determined total inpatient stay (TIS), total number of clinic presentations with interventions (TNPI), initial hand injury severity score (iHISS), and inpatient proceeds (IPP) in Euros (€). Correlation was assessed between iHISS and TOA, TNO, and TIS. Finally, these patients were reexamined in a follow-up inquiry and the life quality was assessed with the five-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) descriptive system (EQ-5D-5L).Results:We analyzed 12 patients with an average age of 44 years (min. 24 years, max. 75 years). Patients receiving reconstructive surgery experienced median (${\rm{\tilde x}}$) TPT of 175 days [interquartile range (IQR), 51–499], TOA of 13 h (IQR, 6–37), TO of 9 h (IQR, 4–25), and TNO of 5 (IQR, 3–11). Further, the patients’ median TIS was 22 days (IQR, 9–86), TNPI was 4 (IQR, 2–8), and iHISS was 77 (IQR, 44–162). The median IPP was 14.595 € (IQR, 5.541–33.709 €). IHISS was positively correlated with Pearson’s r for TIS (0.817), TOA (0.857), and TNO (0.871). The EQ-5D-5L index value resulted in a high level of life quality with a median of 0.898 (min. 0.8, max. 1).Conclusion:Severe hand injuries are related to high efforts for surgical and functional reconstructions, which result in high quality of life measured with the EQ-5D-5L assessment. However, for a defined collective of patients, myoelectric prosthetic functional replacement should be considered. Further studies are necessary to examine functional outcomes and quality of life after bionic prosthetic replacement. Also, a bionic reconstruction score to define hard criteria for taking an acute treatment decision is necessary.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Tiefgradige Verbrennungen bedürfen eines frühzeitigen Débridements und der Transplantation von Haut nach der MEEK/MESH-Technik oder weitere rekonstruktive Operationen. Infektionen von Verbrennungswunden oder transplantierten Arealen limitieren den chirurgischen Erfolg und erhöhen die Mortalität. Spalthauttransplantate nach der MEEK-Technik werden mit Textilien als Träger transplantiert und ähnlich der MESH-Technik mit einem Schaumstoff-Überknüpfer fixiert. Die Auflage dieser Fremdmaterialien wird in der Regel fünf Tage belassen. Dieses Fremdmaterial könnte jedoch potentiell eine Brutstätte für Bakterien und Erreger darstellen. Eine Identifikation von drohenden Infektionen und die frühzeitige Identifizierung einer erhöhten Bakterienlast bei Verbrennungswunden durch die Darstellung mittels der Autofluoreszenz (AF) sind hilfreich, um Wunden adäquat zu beurteilen und Hauttransplantate zu sichern. Material und Methoden Zur Charakterisierung von Verbrennungswunden, die mit Spalthaut nach der MEEK/MESH Technik gedeckt wurden und mit Schaumstoff-Überknüpfer behandelt wurden, erfolgte die Darstellung der Erregerlast mittels MolecuLight i:X™. Es erfolgte zusätzlich die Bildgebung mittels einer Digitalkamera und die Bestimmung der Erreger mit mikrobiologischen Abstrichen. Mit dieser Pilotstudie wird die Besiedlung von Fremdmaterialien auf Verbrennungswunden sowie die diagnostische Wertigkeit der Autofluoreszenz im Vergleich zur klinischen Wundbeurteilung bei Verbrennungswunden geprüft. Ergebnisse Wir untersuchten Verbrennungswunden (n = 14) von drei intensivmedizinischen Patienten. Es erfolgte die Unterteilung in insgesamt 53 Wundareale. Die MolecuLight i:X™ Kamera zeigte eine starke Besiedlung der transplantierten Areale und Fremdmaterialien, korrespondierend zu den mikrobiologischen Befunden. Die MEEK-Transplantationen heilten zu 90 % im Vergleich zu MESH-transplantierten Arealen mit etwa 60 % ein. Es zeigte sich ein positiv prädiktiver Wert von 81,8 % der AF. Der negativ prädiktive Wert betrug 90,3 % bei einer Sensitivität von 86,7 % und einer Spezifität von 87,5 %. Schlussfolgerung Die Dauer des Belassens von Fremdmaterial sollte auf die kürzeste Zeit begrenzt werden.Die Darstellung der Erregerlast mittels AF zeigt eine starke Besiedlung sowohl bei der MEEK-Technik mit der Seidenschicht als auch bei der MESH-Technik mit dem Schaumstoff-Überknüpfer. Die real-time Darstellung der Verbrennungswunden mittels AF kann durch die hohe Sensitivität und Spezifität eine gezielte Intervention an der Verbrennungsoberfläche ermöglichen.