Evaluation of the Tolerability of Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors in the Treatment of Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review of Treatment Strategies.

Hedgehog pathway inhibitors (HHIs) have broadened the treatment options available for patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for whom traditional therapeutic approaches are not feasible or effective. Sonidegib and vismodegib are oral HHIs that were approved for treatment of patients with advanced BCC after demonstrating promising efficacy in the pivotal Phase II BOLT (NCT01327053) and ERIVANCE (NCT00833417) trials, respectively. However, the incidence and types of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) observed with these agents may limit continuous use of HHIs and ultimately impact clinical outcomes.

Reconstruction Technique for Defects of the Cutaneous and Mucosal Lip: V-to-flying-Y Closure.

Repair of a surgical defect following Mohs micrographic surgery can be particularly challenging when it involves free margins of the face. Lip reconstruction falls under this category, requiring careful planning of the repair to avoid not only aesthetic but also functional complications of the oral aperture. Our technique, termed V-to-flying-Y closure, allows for an aesthetically pleasing and functional outcome for repairs of surgical defects that involve both the cutaneous and mucosal lip.

Ultrasound imaging for endotracheal tube repositioning during percutaneous tracheostomy in a cadaver model: a potential teaching modality.

Background: Percutaneous tracheostomy (PCT) is a widely accepted method for the insertion of a tracheostomy tube in a critically ill patient. Because a patient's preexisting endotracheal tube is manipulated during the procedure, premature extubation with potential catastrophic loss of airway control is a risk. As portable ultrasound imaging becomes increasingly useful in the critical care setting, investigations continue to determine the safety of PCT with the technology.