Skin is the largest organ by surface area of the body and is essential to prevent dehydration as the first barrier to infection, permit unrestricted movement, and provide a normal profile and appearance. A skin graft is a paper-thin piece of skin that has no fat or other body tissues attached and has been completely removed from its blood supply. Therefore, a skin graft can be transferred anywhere in the body as long as where placed, the so-called recipient site, does have a sufficient blood supply to nourish the skin until new blood vessels can grow into it within a short timeframe. Otherwise, if that does not occur, the graft will shrivel up and die. The downside even of a successful skin graft is the variable final color and inharmonious appearance of the skin, a tendency to contract possibly causing deformities especially limiting motion across joints, and similar healing issues at a second wound, that is the donor site of the graft itself. Nevertheless, this is a rapidly performed surgical procedure requiring but the simplest of instrumentation for the harvest of that graft that can then permit replacement of extensive skin deficiencies. In this video article, these virtues are displayed as a split-thickness skin graft is used to replace the skin missing following the removal of a large squamous cell skin cancer of the forearm.
Laryngeal granulomas present with clinical signs and symptoms including dysphonia, hoarseness, discomfort or pain in the throat, and dyspnea. Notably, vocal granuloma, despite its name, pathologically is not a true granulomatous process. Instead, it is characterized as a reactive/reparative process where intact or ulcerated squamous epithelium is underlaid by granulation tissue or fibrosis. Although granulomas are typically of benign nature, they often require surgical treatment. Other options for treatment include proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and steroid inhalations, botulinum neurotoxin injection, and phonotherapy. Nearly half of the cases usually remit through clinical management involving PPIs, topical inhalant steroids, and phonotherapy.
Lipoma Excision John Grove1; Marcus Lester R. Suntay, MD, FPCS, FPSPS, FPALES2 1Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine 2Philippine Children’s Medical Center
Lipomas are slow-growing lumps that occur as a result of overgrowth of fat cells. They present as doughy, moveable, and non-tender lumps usually found underneath the skin; however, they may occasionally be deeper. Lipomas occur in 1 in every 1,000 people and commonly grow on the upper back, shoulders, and abdomen. In most cases, lipomas are painless unless they affect joints, nerves, or blood vessels. A physical examination is the easiest way to diagnose a lipoma; however, imaging studies and biopsy may aid in the diagnosis when they are large, have unusual features, or appear deep.
No treatment is usually necessary for a lipoma; however, if a lipoma is painful or growing, removal may be recommended by excision or liposuction. Here, we present a 35-year-old male who has a large and deep 8-year-old lipoma on his upper back. The lipoma was excised and sent for biopsy.
Sebaceous Cyst Excision
Casey L. Meier, RN¹; Marcus Lester R. Suntay, MD, FPCS, FPSPS, FPALES² ¹Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine ²Philippine Children’s Medical Center
Sebaceous cysts are closed sacs filled with foul-smelling, cheese-like material found underneath the skin. They form when a gland or hair follicle becomes blocked and are commonly found on the scalp, face, neck, or torso. Sebaceous cysts are non-cancerous and usually present as painless lumps, but can become tender when infected.
In most cases, smaller sebaceous cysts may be ignored as they do not cause any symptoms; however, larger cysts may need to be removed with complete excision recommended to prevent recurrence. Oral antibiotics may be required when a sebaceous cyst becomes infected. Here is the case of a 33-year-old male patient who underwent complete resection of a 2-year-old cyst.
Epidermal inclusion cysts, also called keratin or epithelial cysts, are benign lumps that develop beneath the skin. They present as a slow-growing, painless lumps, usually with a punctum in the middle that represents the blockage of keratin excretion. Here, Dr. Lester Suntay with the World Surgical Foundation presents the case of a 64-year-old male with a mass on his upper back. It was noted to be gradually enlarging, and thus excision was performed in order to prevent further growth and infection.
Marcus Lester R. Suntay, MD, FPCS, FPSPS, FPALES
World Surgical Foundation, Philippines
Training Officer of the Division of Pediatric Surgery
Philippine Children’s Medical Center
In this case, Dr. Lester Suntay performs an excision of a 2-year-old sebaceous cyst from the face of an adult male.
Marcus Lester R. Suntay, MD, FPCS, FPSPS, FPALES
World Surgical Foundation, Philippines
Training Officer of the Division of Pediatric Surgery
Philippine Children’s Medical Center
In this case, Dr. Lester Suntay excises an 8-year-old lipoma from the upper back of an adult male.
Marcus Lester R. Suntay, MD, FPCS, FPSPS, FPALES
World Surgical Foundation, Philippines
Training Officer of the Division of Pediatric Surgery
Philippine Children’s Medical Center
Here, Dr. Lester Suntay with the World Surgical Foundation performs an excision of an epidermal inclusion cyst on the upper back of a 64-year-old male.
Marcus Lester R. Suntay, MD, FPCS, FPSPS, FPALES
World Surgical Foundation, Philippines
Training Officer of the Division of Pediatric Surgery
Philippine Children’s Medical Center
In this case, Dr. Lester Suntay excises a ganglion cyst from the right wrist of a pediatric patient while on a surgical mission with the World Surgical Foundation.
