Management of patients with anorectal melanoma is still controversial. To reach a rationale therapeutic approach, we reviewed our experience obtained over the past decade. In all, 19 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of anorectal melanoma were included in this retrospective survey. Details of the patients' presentation, symptoms, tumour size and histology and tumour state were recorded, and the primary therapeutic procedures were evaluated in detail. The size of the tumours ranged between 0.5 and 7 cm in diameter. The median tumour thickness was 10 mm (range 0.6 -40 mm). At diagnosis, six of 19 patients already presented with either regional or distant metastases. The remaining 13 patients were treated with curative intend, either by abdomino-perineal resection (APR) or wide local excision (WLE). The form of operative therapy, however, had no impact on overall survival. Nevertheless, the incidence of local recurrences was lower after APR even for patients with less favourable tumours. In conclusion, WLE alone is not sufficient for local tumour control of thick anorectal melanoma.

Advantages of the scalp as a donor site include rapidity of wound healing, low risk of complications, and excellent cosmetic results. The large number of hair follicles containing the epidermal stem cell pool can explain these advantages.

Multilayer argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new effective method for the treatment of genital warts. We assessed the generation of aerosols containing human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA during treatment of genital warts with multilayer APC and with CO₂ laser ablation. Surveillance petri dishes, swabs from the glasses and nasolabial folds of the operating physician, and swabs taken from the suction units used during CO₂ laser ablation were tested by HPV PCR. HPV DNA corresponding to patient derived HPV types of genital warts was not found in any of the petri dishes and swabs obtained during APC treatment. HPV DNA was detected in none of the petri dishes obtained during CO₂ laser treatment, but in suction filters. In conclusion, both CO₂ laser ablation with plume suction and APC treatment seem to have a low risk of HPV contamination of the operation room.

Summary Background  A treatment approach for patients with haemorrhoidal disease and other anal disease, which includes the use of topical corticosteroids and other topical combination products, is widely accepted, but little has been published to compare such treatments. This publication is a valuable collection of reading material for gastroenterologists, proctologists, general practitioners, dermatologists and other clinicians who are responsible for diagnosing and managing patients with haemorrhoidal disease. Aims  To review and collect existing treatment approaches for haemorrhoidal disease, by reviewing global experience from clinicians that will contribute towards improving best practice in the management of patients. Methods  The articles include overviews of haemorrhoidal disease, differential diagnosis, topical treatment and surgical practices and patient outcomes. Case studies further reinforce treatments from individual specialists. Results  The articles between them address the classification of haemorrhoids, dermatological differential diagnoses of anal and perianal disease, and the therapeutic management of different haemorrhoidal diseases including invasive surgical and non‐invasive topical combination treatments. The case studies indicate the positive impact of appropriate treatment in everyday clinical practice. Conclusion  This publication will reinforce best practice in the causative and symptomatic treatment of haemorrhoidal disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31 (Suppl. 1), 1–58

BackgroundStringent control of proteolytic activity represents a major therapeutic approach for wound-bed preparation.ObjectivesWe tested whether a protease-modulating polyacrylate- (PA-) containing hydrogel resulted in a more efficient wound-bed preparation of venous leg ulcers when compared to an amorphous hydrogel without known protease-modulating properties.MethodsPatients were randomized to the polyacrylate-based hydrogel (n = 34) or to an amorphous hydrogel (n = 41). Wound beds were evaluated by three blinded experts using photographs taken on days 0, 7 and 14.ResultsAfter 14 days of treatment there was an absolute decrease in fibrin and necrotic tissue of 37.6 ± 29.9 percentage points in the PA-based hydrogel group and by 16.8 ± 23.0 percentage points in the amorphous hydrogel group. The absolute increase in the proportion of ulcer area covered by granulation tissue was 36.0 ± 27.4 percentage points in the PA-based hydrogel group and 14.5 ± 22.0 percentage points in the control group. The differences between the groups were significant (decrease in fibrin and necrotic tissue P = 0.004 and increase in granulation tissue P = 0.0005, respectively).ConclusionIn particular, long-standing wounds profited from the treatment with the PA-based hydrogel. These data suggest that PA-based hydrogel dressings can stimulate normalization of the wound environment, particularly in hard-to-heal ulcers.