Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Successful Management Of Severe Liver Failure On Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Using Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating Systeme., Shigeki Tabata, Nicholas Cavarocchi, Hitoshi Hirose

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

A 49-year-old female with Adriamycin induced cardiomyopathy presented with decompensated biventricular congestive heart failure. Despite multiple Inotropes, the patient’s hemodynamics deteriorated and she underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) placement as a bridge to decision. Pre-ECMO workup showed liver dysfunction with elevated total bilirubin of 5.9 mg/dl, normal liver enzymes and liver ultrasound image. Tentative diagnosis of “end-stage liver failure” was made without a biopsy.

Shortly after initiation of ECMO, the patient developed massive hemoptysis which was successfully managed with continuation of ECMO and ventilator management. [i] The patient’s total bilirubin continued to increase to peak of 56 mg/dl on …

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (Ecmo) For Support During Whole Lung Lavage For Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis., Hitoshi Hirose, Julie Monteagudo, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Boyd Hehn, Naveed Hasan

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION ECMO as support during whole lung lavage (WLL) for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is reserved for severe cases where oxygenation is inadequate to support the patient using the ventilator alone. While most publications describe a venovenous cannulation with variable results we present a successful case using venoarterial cannulation and discuss the potential benefits of this mode of ECMO support. CASE PRESENTATION We present the case of a 44 year old female with a past medical history of Behcets disease and a BMI of 37 who was diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) on a lung biopsy after presenting with dyspnea. …

Novel Approach To Monitoring Renal Perfusion With The Use Of Continuous Renal Oximetery In The Setting Of Aortic Dissection, Hitoshi Hirose, Philip Batista, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Aortic dissections commonly extend beyond the renal arteries with varying effects ranging from asymptomatic to renal failure. We report a case of aortic dissection with initial renal compromise, which was continuously monitored utilizing direct renal oximetry for evaluation of real-time renal perfusion and function. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65 year-old female with a long history of uncontrolled hypertension presented with acute retrosternal chest pain radiating to the back for 12 hours. She was in stable condition except for a serum creatinine of 1.6mg/dl. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) demonstrated a type A dissection extending from the aortic root to the left …

Sternal Pain After Rigid Fixation: A Pilot Study Of Randomization Rigid Vs Conventional Wire Closure., Hitoshi Hirose, Hong Mun Kong, Shigeki Tabata, Kentaro Yamane, Margaret Lusardi, Linda J. Bogar, James Diehl

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Rigid sternal fixation may provide better sternal closure than conventional sternal wire closure. We performed a prospective randomized study to investigate if rigid closure reduces postoperative sternal pain. Methods: Patients undergoing CABG ± valve surgery between July 2011 and January 2012 were prospectively randomized into conventional wire closure (group C) or rigid fixation using sternal plates (group R). Pain scores were determined at 6 AM using a numeric rating scale (0 no pain, 5 moderate pain, 10 worst possible pain). Narcotic pain medication requirement from day 1 to 5 was collected and converted into intravenous morphine equivalent. Results: Among …

Fate Of The Lower Extremity In Patients With Va-Ecmo Via Femoral Cannulation, Hitoshi Hirose, Kathleen Lamb, Neil Moudgill, Paul Dimuzio, Megan Mccullough, Pawel Karbowski, Atul Rao, Nicholas Cavarocchi, Joshua Eisenberg

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Background: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a salvage therapy in patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure. Femoral cannulation is associated with limb complications including ischemia, limb loss, arterial infections and wound infections. This study aims to evaluate these complications and management related to successful outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted in 17 patients requiring VA- ECMO support via femoral cannulation from 1/ 2010 till 4/2012. After cannulation, all patients had near infared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring after cannula placement and most had placement of distal arterial perfusion catheters (DPC). At decannulation, all patients had femoral cutdown with closure of arteriotomies …

Percutaneous Gastrostomy (Peg) Tube Placement In Patients With Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device. (Lvad)., Hitoshi Hirose, Chris Rizzi, Linda Bogar, Jay S. Jenoff, Nicholas Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist device. (LVAD). CHRIS RIZZI, BS, Linda Bogar, MD, Jay Jenoff, MD, Nicholas Cavarocchi, MD, Hitoshi Hirose, MD. Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. Introduction: Inadequate nutritional support after LVAD placement is known to increase postoperative infections and to decrease survival. The LVAD patients with complicated postoperative recovery requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation may require long-term tube feedings. Placement of a PEG requires knowledge of the location of the LVAD pocket and driveline to avoid device infection and injury. Methods: Between August 2008 and December 2011, 39 …

Successful Liver Failure Management Using Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System During Complicated Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation As A Bridge To A Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement, Hitoshi Hirose, Shigeki Tabata, Nicholas Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Successful liver failure management using molecular adsorbents recirculating system during complicated veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to a left ventricular assist device placement. SHIGEKI TABATA, MD, Nicholas Cavarocchi, MD, Hitoshi Hirose, MD. Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a well-established therapy for the patients with cardiogenic shock. We present a patient who developed severe complications while on ECMO. Case presentation: A 49-year-old female presented with severe heart failure and was placed on veno-arterial ECMO for bridge to decision. While on ECMO, the patient developed massive …

Recovery Of End-Organs And Improved Mortality In Adult Patient On Ecmo., Hitoshi Hirose, Joshua Wong, Vei Shaun Siow, Thomas N. Smith, Harrsion Pitcher, Linda Bogar, Nicholas C. Carvarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Title: Recovery of End-Organs and Improved Mortality in Adult Patients on ECMO Joshua K Wong, BS1, Vei Shaun Siow, BS1, Thomas N Smith, BS1, Harrison Pitcher, MD2, Linda Bogar, MD2, Hitoshi Hirose, MD2 and Nicholas C Cavarocchi, MD2. 1Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19107 and 2Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19107. Body: With increasing use of ECMO in adults, we seek to objectively measure End-Organ recovery and correlate intensive care mortality scores and complications with patient survival. This is a retrospective review of patients who were placed on …

Efficacy Of Miniaturized Imacor Trans-Esophageal Echocardiografm (Tee) Prove In Mechanical Circulatory Support., Hitoshi Hirose, Christopher Y. Kang, Joshua K. Wong, Harrison T. Pitcher, Caitlyn M. Johnson, Konrad Sarosiek, Linda J Bogar, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Application of the miniaturized ImaCor Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) probe in Heart Transplant/Mechanical Cardiac Support Patients In the surgical cardiac care unit (SCCU), therapeutic interventions often need to be done at the bedside, necessitating the need for a rapidly employable diagnostic tool for the cardiac intensivist. We report the clinical utility of the miniature ImaCor TEE-probe in guiding management of post heart transplant (H-Txp) and mechanical cardiac support patients (MCS) and describe the economic benefit of such a device. This is an IRB approved retrospective review of MCS/H-Txp patients who had ImaCor TEE monitoring in the SCCU of our institution in …

An Old Problem With A New Therapy: Gi Bleeding In Vad Patients And Deep Bowel Enteroscopy (Double Balloon. Spiral Enteroscopy)., Hitoshi Hirose, Konrad Sarosiek, Linda Bogar, Pitcher Harrison, Barbara Ebert, Nicholas Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

An old problem with a new therapy: GI Bleeding in VAD patients and deep bowel enteroscopy (Spiral and Double Balloon Enteroscopy) Purpose: Evidence suggests that patients treated with non-pulsatile ventricular assist devices (VAD) are at an increased risk for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) beyond what is expected from routine anticoagulation. Diagnostic and treatment algorithms are currently undefined. We reviewed our experience of GIB in VAD patients and propose a new algorithm utilizing deep bowel enteroscopy (DBE) aimed to speed diagnosis and limit transfusions. (471) Methods & Procedures From 2004 to 2011, we studied 62 patients who received a non-pulsatile VAD at …

Parenthood With Exposure To Mycophenolic Acid Products, Sophia M. Termimi, Megan Clary, Lisa Coscia, Carolyn Mcgrory, Vincent T. Armenti

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Successful pregnancy outcomes have been reported in all solid-organ transplant recipients on a variety of immunosuppressive medication regimes. In October 2007, the FDA pregnancy category of mycophenolic acid products (MPA) was changed from category C to D, based on registry and post-marketing data which revealed a higher incidence of spontaneous abortions and structural birth defects. The purpose of this abstract is to describe pregnancy outcomes with exposure to MPA and pregnancies fathered by male transplant recipients conceived while taking MPA. Data were collected by the National Transportation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR) via questionnaires, telephone interview and medical records. There were 152 …

Compliance With Surgical Care Improvement Project Blood Glucose--A Marker For Euglycemia, But Does It Put Our Patients At Risk?, Isaac R Whitman, Maura Murphy, Marta M Gilson, Amy Campfield, Michel Haddad, Elizabeth Moxey, Glenn J R Whitman

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

To improve outcomes in open heart surgery (OHS) patients, the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) requires 6 am postoperative day (POD) 1 and 2 blood glucose (BG) to be ≤200mg/dL. This study examined risk factors for SCIP noncompliance when using an insulin infusion protocol (IIP) and evaluated this SCIP metric as a surrogate for glycemic control. The authors divided 99 consecutive OHS patients, all subjected to 1 uniform IIP, into 2 groups: Group 1-SCIP compliant (n=79) and Group 2-SCIP noncompliant (n=20). They determined mean BG for the first 48 postoperative hours, percent of total time with hyperglycemia (% time BG …

Massive Haemoptysis On Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation., Meredith Harrison, Scott W. Cowan, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Hitoshi Hirose

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

A 49-year old female presented with severe heart failure with end-organ dysfunction and was placed on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to a decision for end-organ recovery. While on ECMO, the patient developed massive haemoptysis after a Swan-Ganz catheter manipulation. The haemoptysis was not controllable by conventional methods including bronchoscopy with cold saline and epinephrine lavage, bronchial blocker or angiography. The endotracheal tube was clamped to provide tamponade and the patient relied on full ECMO support for 36 h. After the haemoptysis resolved, the endotracheal tube was unclamped. The patient developed adult respiratory distress syndrome and was …

Tension Pneumothorax On Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Leading To Significant Pneumoperitoneum., Hitoshi Hirose, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Kathleen Holoyda

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Veno-venous and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is used to support the cardiac and pulmonary systems in the setting of acute failure. Maintaining adequate ECMO flow is crucial for the success of the therapy. Sudden decrease in venous return on ECMO has multiple etiologies, such as intravascular hypovolemia, malposition or kink of the venous cannula, suction occlusion of a cannula, and venous or arterial thrombi. Pathology within the chest, including pneumothorax, tension hemothorax and pericardial tamponade, may also decrease the ECMO flow because of compression of the cannula and decreased atrial volume. Air from a tension pneumothorax may be …

The Influence Of Prognostic Factors And Adjuvant Chemoradiation On Survival After Pancreaticoduodenectomy For Ampullary Carcinoma., Timothy N Showalter, Tingting Zhan, P Rani Anne, Inna Chervoneva, Edith P Mitchell, Charles J Yeo, Ernest L Rosato, Eugene P Kennedy, Adam C Berger

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: The prognosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for ampullary carcinoma (AC) is superior to that of pancreatic cancer. Decisions regarding adjuvant therapy are influenced by factors such as nodal status, stage, and grade, but the influence of these individual variables on survival is unclear.

METHODS: A prospective tumor registry database was queried to identify patients who underwent PD for AC at Thomas Jefferson University between Jan 1997 and Apr 2009. The study was conducted with the approval of the institutional review board. Data were collected through review of hospital and departmental charts. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using univariate and multivariate …

Cerebral And Lower Limb Near-Infrared Spectroscopy In Adults On Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Joshua K Wong, Thomas N Smith, Harrison T Pitcher, Hitoshi Hirose, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Percutaneous femoral venoarterial (VA) or jugular venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can result in delivery of hypoxic blood to the brain, coronaries, and upper extremities. Additionally, VA-ECMO by percutaneous femoral artery cannulation may compromise perfusion to the lower limbs. Use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) detects regional ischemia and warns of impending hypoxic damage. We report the first known series with standardized monitoring of this parameter in adults on ECMO. This is an institutional review board-approved single institution retrospective review of patients with NIRS monitoring on ECMO from July 2010 until June 2011. Patients were analyzed for drops in NIRS …

The Use Of Epoetin-Α In Revision Knee Arthroplasty., Lawrence A Delasotta, Ashwin V Rangavajjula, Michael L Frank, Jamie L Blair, Fabio R Orozco, Alvin C Ong

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction. To evaluate the efficacy of epoetin-α prior to revision total knee arthroplasty, we hypothesized that epoetin-α will reduce blood transfusion. Methods. Eighty-one patients were compared in this retrospective review; twenty-eight patients received our dosing regimen. All patients were mildly anemic. Epoetin-α to control (1 : 2) patient matching occurred so that one of two attending surgeons, gender, BMI, complexity of surgery, ASA score, and age were similar between groups. The clinical triggers for blood transfusion during or after the procedure were determined based on peri- and postoperative hemoglobin levels, ASA score, and/or clinical symptoms consistent with anemia. Blood salvage …

A Step Backward For Italy's Meritocracy., Ignazio Roberto Marino

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Italian scientists have long lamented the lack of resources, political attention, and meritocracy in assigning taxpayers’ money.

Adult Ecmo And Gastrointestinal Bleeding From Small Bowel Arteriovenous Malformations: A Novel Treatment Using Spiral Enteroscopy., Konrad Sarosiek, Hitoshi Hirose, Harrison T Pitcher, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Hemorrhagic complications on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are common because of the need for anticoagulation to maintain the oxygenator and circuitry. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is reported to occur in 3-6% of ECMO patients, ¹ requiring frequent transfusions as well as multiple diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Multiple transfusions can result in volume overload, coagulopathies and infections leading to significant morbidity and mortality. We present the first published case of GIB from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) treated with a novel therapy termed spiral enteroscopy while the patient remained on venoarterial (VA) ECMO.

Thickened Ascending Aortic Wall Mimicking Intramural Hematoma., Kentaro Yamane, Hitoshi Hirose, Benjamin A. Youdelman, James Diehl

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

A 45-year-old Hispanic woman presented with a 3-day history of ‘‘burning’’ chest pain. A computed tomo- graphic angiogram of the chest revealed the ascending aorta had a maximum diameter of 40 mm with marked thickening of the aortic wall (Figure 1), which we con- cluded was an intramural hematoma. On entering the pericardium, a milky-white plaque-like area on the ascending aorta was encountered (Figure 2). The ascending aorta was firm to palpation. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and epiaortic ultra- sound showed a hyperechoic aortic wall with no find- ings compatible with aortic dissection. The ascending aorta had an irregular surface contour, …

Invited Commentary On: Orthotopic Heart Transplantation In Patients With Metabolic Risk Factors, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Paul Mather

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

This is invited commentary to the following article:

Kilic, A., Conte, J. V., Shah, A. S., & Yuh, D. D. (2012). Orthotopic heart transplantation in patients with metabolic risk factors. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 93(3), 718-724.

Current Trend Of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting., Hitoshi Hirose

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Published in "Front Lines of Thoracic Surgery", Edited by Stefano Nazari, ISBN 978-953-307-915-8, Published: February 3, 2012 under CC BY 3.0 license

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and
cardioplegic arrest has been performed safely over several decades. Cardiac surgery under
cardiac arrest provides a bloodless stable operative field, that can facilitate anastomosis. In
last decade, CABG without CPB, off-pump CABG (OPCAB) has become more common with
advances in surgical instruments and technique. This chapter summarizes the surgical
technique, risks and benefits of OPCAB.

Thoratec Heartmate Ii(®) Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation In Patient With Patent Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt., Kentaro Yamane, Linda J Bogar, Shigeki Tabata, Hitoshi Hirose

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

We report a case of HeartMate II® left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation as a destination therapy in a patient with a patent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt after being suffered from subarachnoid hemorrhage. Because the patient's VP shunt was running through her right anterior chest and abdominal wall, a driveline exit site was selected in her left upper quadrant to avoid unnecessary perioperative complication in relation to the patent VP shunt tube. Tailored driveline placement was a key element of this LVAD implantation in this already sick patient with multiple comorbidities.

The Burden Of Breast Cancer In Italy: Mastectomies And Quadrantectomies Performed Between 2001 And 2008 Based On Nationwide Hospital Discharge Records., Prisco Piscitelli, Maddalena Barba, Massimo Crespi, Massimo Di Maio, Antonio Santoriello, Massiliamo D'Aiuto, Alfredo Fucito, Arturo Losco, Francesca Pentimalli, Pasquale Maranta, Giovanna Chitano, Alberto Argentiero, Cosimo Neglia, Alessandro Distante, Gian Luca Di Tanna, Maria Luisa Brandi, Alfredo Mazza, Ignazio R Marino, Antonio Giordano

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Where population coverage is limited, the exclusive use of Cancer Registries might limit ascertainment of incident cancer cases. We explored the potentials of Nationwide hospital discharge records (NHDRs) to capture incident breast cancer cases in Italy.

METHODS: We analyzed NHDRs for mastectomies and quadrantectomies performed between 2001 and 2008. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) and related 95% Confidence Interval (CI) in the actual number of mastectomies and quadrantectomies performed during the study period were computed for the full sample and for subgroups defined by age, surgical procedure, macro-area and singular Region. Re-admissions of the same patients were separately …

Right Ventricular Rupture And Tamponade Caused By Malposition Of The Avalon Cannula For Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation., Hitoshi Hirose, Kentaro Yamane, Gregary D. Marhefka, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Placement of the Avalon Elite bicaval dual lumen cannula for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) via the internal jugular vein requires precise positioning of the cannula tip in the inferior vena cava with echocardiography or fluoroscopy guidance. Correct guidewire placement is clearly the key first step in assuring proper advancement of the cannula. We report a case of unexpected wire migration into the right ventricle at the time of final cannula advancement, resulting in right ventricular rupture and tamponade. Transesophageal echocardiography is an important monitoring modality for appropriate placement of the VV-ECMO guidewire and Avalon cannula, and in particular, for …

Lymph Node Ratio Is An Important And Independent Prognostic Factor For Patients With Stage Iii Melanoma., Adam C. Berger, Michael Fierro, John C Kairys, David Berd, Takami Sato, Jocelyn Andrel, Terry Hyslop, Michael J Mastrangelo

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of melanoma is dramatically increasing worldwide. We hypothesized that the ratio of metastatic to examined lymph node ratio (LNR) would be the most important prognostic factor for stage III patients.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database of melanoma patients and identified 168 patients who underwent lymph node dissection (LND) for stage III disease between 1993 and 2007. Patients were divided into three groups based on LNR (≤10%, n = 93; 10-≤25%, n = 45; and >25%, n = 30). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS: The median survival time of …

A Novel Survival-Based Tissue Microarray Of Pancreatic Cancer Validates Muc1 And Mesothelin As Biomarkers., Jordan M Winter, Laura H Tang, David S Klimstra, Murray F Brennan, Jonathan R Brody, Flavio G Rocha, Xiaoyu Jia, Li-Xuan Qin, Michael I D'Angelica, Ronald P Dematteo, Yuman Fong, William R Jarnagin, Eileen M O'Reilly, Peter J Allen

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: One-fifth of patients with seemingly 'curable' pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) experience an early recurrence and death, receiving no definable benefit from a major operation. Some patients with advanced stage tumors are deemed 'unresectable' by conventional staging criteria (e.g. liver metastasis), yet progress slowly. Effective biomarkers that stratify PDA based on biologic behavior are needed. To help researchers sort through the maze of biomarker data, a compendium of ∼2500 published candidate biomarkers in PDA was compiled (PLoS Med, 2009. 6(4) p. e1000046).

METHODS AND FINDINGS: Building on this compendium, we constructed a survival tissue microarray (termed s-TMA) comprised of short-term …

Preoperative Fdg-Pet/Ct Is An Important Tool In The Management Of Patients With Thick (T4) Melanoma., Rodrigo Arrangoiz, Pavlos Papavasiliou, Carrie A Stransky, Jian Q Yu, Li Tianyu, Elin R Sigurdson, Adam C. Berger, Jeffrey M Farma

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

The yield of preoperative PET/CT (PET/CT) for regional and distant metastases for thin/intermediate thickness melanoma is low. Objective of this study is to determine if PET/CT performed for T4 melanomas helps guide management and alter treatment plans. Methods. Retrospective cohort of 216 patients with T4 melanomas treated at two tertiary institutions. Fifty-six patients met our inclusion criteria (T4 lesion, PET/CT and no clinical evidence of metastatic disease). Results. Fifty-six patients (M: 32, F: 24) with median tumor thickness of 6 mm were identified. PET/CT recognized twelve with regional and four patients with metastatic disease. Melanoma-related treatment plan was altered in …

Preoperative Fdg-Pet/Ct Is An Important Tool In The Management Of Patients With Thick (T4) Melanoma., Rodrigo Arrangoiz, Pavlos Papavasiliou, Carrie A Stransky, Jian Q Yu, Li Tianyu, Elin R Sigurdson, Adam C Berger, Jeffrey M Farma

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

The yield of preoperative PET/CT (PET/CT) for regional and distant metastases for thin/intermediate thickness melanoma is low. Objective of this study is to determine if PET/CT performed for T4 melanomas helps guide management and alter treatment plans. Methods. Retrospective cohort of 216 patients with T4 melanomas treated at two tertiary institutions. Fifty-six patients met our inclusion criteria (T4 lesion, PET/CT and no clinical evidence of metastatic disease). Results. Fifty-six patients (M: 32, F: 24) with median tumor thickness of 6 mm were identified. PET/CT recognized twelve with regional and four patients with metastatic disease. Melanoma-related treatment plan was altered in …