Vitiligo, characterized by depigmented macules is a common disorder with a high psychosocial impact, particularly in darker skins. Surgical methods become important in cases where medical therapy fails to cause repigmentation or in cases of segmental vitiligo where the response to surgery is excellent. The basic principle of surgical treatment is autologous grafting of viable melanocytes from pigmented donor skin to recipient vitiliginous areas. Various grafting methods have been described including tissue grafts and cellular grafts. Stability of the disease is the most important criterion to obtain a successful outcome. Counseling of the patient regarding the outcome is vital before surgery. The technique and followup management of the tissue grafts has been described in detail in this review.
The increase in air pollution over the years has had major effects on the human skin. Various air pollutants such as ultraviolet radiation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, oxides, particulate matter, ozone and cigarette smoke affect the skin as it is the outermost barrier. Air pollutants damage the skin by inducing oxidative stress. Although human skin acts as a biological shield against pro-oxidative chemicals and physical air pollutants, prolonged or repetitive exposure to high levels of these pollutants may have profound negative effects on the skin. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation has been associated with extrinsic skin aging and skin cancers. Cigarette smoke contributes to premature aging and an increase in the incidence of psoriasis, acne and skin cancers. It is also implicated in allergic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and eczema. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons are associated with extrinsic skin aging, pigmentation, cancers and acneiform eruptions. Volatile organic compounds have been associated with atopic dermatitis. Given the increasing levels of air pollution and its detrimental effects on the skin, it is advisable to use strategies to decrease air pollution.
Mucocutaneous histoplasmosis is frequently reported in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), but it is rare in immunocompetent hosts. Disseminated histoplasmosis involving skin and larynx in a 50-year-old immunocompetent male is described from a non-endemic area in India. The infection appeared to be imported from Thailand. The patient responded very well to intravenous amphotericin B followed by itraconazole. A review of all cases of histoplasmosis occurring in immunocompetent patients from India is reported. Most cases are reported from the Gangetic plains. Adrenals are the most common organ involved in immunocompetent patients, but adrenal insufficiency is not common. Skin lesions and oral ulcers are seen in more than one-third of patients. Predisposing factors like exposure to birds, farming, mining, diabetes were observed in few patients.
Lichen planus (LP) and lichen nitidus (LN) present with varied morphology on the palms and soles. We present four unusual cases of palmoplantar LP and LN manifesting as hyperkeratotic plaques with pits. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Subtle features like presence of violaceous border suggests LP and plugs within the pits suggest LN.
Simulation-based learning in surgery is a learning model where an environment similar to real life surgical situation is created for the trainee to learn various surgical skills. It can be used to train a new operator as well to assess his skills. This methodology helps in repetitive practice of surgical skills on nonliving things so that the operator can be near-perfect when operating on a live patient. Various models are available for learning different dermatosurgery skills.
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