Objective: Digit and extremity amputations are unwanted complications in burn injuries. Although some amputations cause only cosmetic and psychological problems in burn patients, they can lead to serious loss in functionality and impairment in the quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic features of amputations among burn patients in the southeastern region of Turkey. Materials and Methods:We conducted retrospective chart reviews of patients hospitalized in Dicle University Burn Center between January 2011 and January 2016 and evaluated patient demographics.Results: A total of 3315 (2063 male and 1252 female) patients were treated, and 41 patients (36 males and 5 females) with a mean age of 21.95 years (range: 3-58 years) underwent amputation. The amputation incidence was 1.23% over the 5-year period. In total, 19 of 41 patients were under 16 years, while 16 were male workers. There was a significant male dominance (p<0.05), with electrical burns being the most common etiological agent (p<0.001). The mean burned total body surface area was 12.4±7.9% (range: 2-60%), and major amputations were significantly higher (p<0.05) if the area exceeded 10%.Conclusion: Electrical burns were the most common etiological factor, and pediatric patients were the most affected group. Educating parents and taking safety measures for protecting children from electrical contact points are as important as educating workers for diminishing the incidence of electrical burn-related amputations.

After the repair of large defects of the lower lid and the infraorbital region using larger flaps without adequate support, retractions of the lower lid may be observed due to the weight of the flap. In this study, the authors' aim is to present the outcome of the repairs they performed on large defect areas in the lower lid and the infraorbital region using cheek flaps suspended by a dermofat flap.The method was performed on 7 patients between 2011 and 2015. Among the patients, 4 were female, while 3 were male. The mean age of the patients was 61.3 (54-69) years. In all the patients, the defects were secondary to tumor excisions. The mean size of the defects was 4.4 × 5 cm (4 × 4 cm to 6 × 5 cm). In all the patients, the repair of the defect was performed using the Mustarde flaps prepared in the subcutaneous plane. After the flap was advanced to the defect area, a dermofat flap was prepared from the part at the lateral canthal area and was sutured to the periosteum superiorly to the lateral canthus.Patient satisfaction and functionality was high during the long-term follow-up. While minimal scleral show occurred in 1 patient, the lid position was normal in the other patients.The authors are of the opinion that the method they used may reduce the risk of lid deformities that may develop with the cheek flaps used to repair large lid defects.

Objective: The major factor for developing malignant skin cancers is sunlight exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the demographics of patients with skin cancers who underwent surgery in Diyarbakır where the population is exposed to more sunlight than most other Turkish cities. Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent surgery for malignant skin cancer excision between 2011 and 2016 were searched using University Hospital's patient database program. Data about patients' demographics, cancer features, and the surgical techniques performed were collected. Results: Over a 5-year period, 190 patients underwent surgical excision. The male to female ratio was 1.56, and the mean age was 65.8 ± 15.7 (range, 20-94) years. The most common skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma (n=138, 72.7%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (n=45, 23.7%) and malignant melanoma (n=5, 2.6%). The most common surgery was primary excision, which was performed in 90 of 190 patients (47.36%); tissue reconstruction with a skin graft or flap surgery was required for the remaining 100 (52.63%), showing a significant difference (p<0.001). Conclusion: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer, and less than half of the patients sought treatment immediately after they recognized the lesion. The public should be educated about skin cancers to increase early diagnosis and encourage timely treatment, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality from skin cancer.

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