Publications by authors named "W M Posten"

Importance: Detailed information regarding perioperative risk and adverse events associated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) can guide clinical management. Much of the data regarding complications of MMS are anecdotal or report findings from single centers or single events.

Objectives: To quantify adverse events associated with MMS and detect differences relevant to safety.

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Cutaneous spindle cell tumors share the common feature of appearing as spindle-shaped cells on light microscopy. Their pathogenesis, presentation, and prognosis are highly variable, and numerous techniques for workup and treatment have been reported. We performed an analysis of the available scientific literature in order to codify the clinical, immunohistochemical, and biologic features of these tumors and to provide insight into the most effective practices for their management, with a focus on Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

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Objective: To ascertain whether subcuticular epidermal closures of elliptical excisions of the trunk and extremities result in better functional and cosmetic outcomes than simple running epidermal closures of the same sites.

Design: Randomized controlled trial, with allocation of epidermal closure of elliptical excisions to 4 arms, including 1 control arm (simple running polypropylene sutures removed after 14 days) and 3 experimental arms (subcuticular running polypropylene sutures removed after 14 days, subcuticular running polypropylene sutures left in place, and subcuticular running polyglactin 910 sutures left in place). All experimental interventions were preceded by deep dermal closure with simple interrupted polyglactin 910 sutures.

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Background: Alopecia areata is a common condition of patchy hair loss that has been postulated to have an autoimmune pathogenesis involving inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. Etanercept is a novel medication that blocks TNF-alpha-mediated processes. We report a case involving the recurrence of alopecia areata in a patient receiving etanercept.

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