Aims: The purpose of the study was to investigate the time dependent dynamics of wound complications and local control after preoperative radiotherapy (RT) in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas (ESTS).Patients & methods: In this retrospective cohort study, all patients treated for an extremity sarcoma with pre-operative radiotherapy followed by surgery were identified from a prospectively maintained database. A wound complication (WC) was defined as any local complication of the surgical area requiring intervention, hospital readmission or significant extension of the initial admission period. Results: A total of 191 preoperatively irradiated ESTS patients were included in this study. WC was seen in 31% of the patients (n ¼ 60). WC started after a median time of 25 days from surgery, with a median duration of 76 days. Adiposity, smoking and a lower extremity or superficial tumor localization were significantly correlated with an increased WC rate. Risk factors for a duration of WC 120 days are early development of WC (21 days after surgery) and smoking. Local control rates after 1, 3 and 5 years were 99%, 93% and 93%, respectively. Conclusion:Approximately one-third of patients selected for preoperative RT develops a WC, typically in smoking, adipose patients with superficial tumor localizations in the lower extremity. Based upon the well-established superior long-term functional outcome, maintained excellent local control rates and the temporary nature of the WC issue, preoperative RT remains our preferred treatment. Although, in patients at high risk of WC, post-operative RT might be considered.

BACKGROUND. Long-term hair removal in hirsute women remains a challenging issue. Various laser and laser-like devices are currently in use for hair removal, but little is known about the permanence of their results. This study deals with the permanence of hair removal using the intense pulsed light source (IPLS). OBJECTIVE. To test the effectiveness in long-term hair reduction. METHODS. Seventy female hirsute patients were selected in the Department of Laser Therapy at the Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands. The average age of the mostly dark-haired patients of various skin types (Fitzpatrick I to V) was 41 years. They were subjected to a mean of 8 treatments (range of 2 to 23) followed for a mean period of 27.3 months. RESULTS. Using the IPLS, 87% hair removal was achieved, whereby the number of treatments correlated with the amount of hair lost. No correlation was found between hair removal and patient-related or technical data. Minimal side effects occurred in 10% of the patients. CONCLUSION. The IPLS system with its broad range of technical variables is effective in achieving long-term hair removal.

Transsexualism as a condition requires hair removal. Twenty-five male-to-female transsexual patients were included in this study on epilation using the Intense Pulsed Light Source (IPLS). Patients received a varying number of treatments, depending on their response. A mean hair clearance rate of 90% was achieved in the studied patients. The average number of treatments per patient was nine. A negative correlation was found between hair removal and the age of the patient. Hair removal was also found to be more effective when the patients had not used any needle epilation. No difference in hair removal was found between transsexual patients, who were hormonal, and those who were not. Follow-up lasted an average of 44 months. This study proved that the IPLS has the potential to be effective, permanent, and painless especially in younger patients who have not used any mechanical methods for epilation before photoepilation.

The IPLS system with its broad range of technical variables is effective in achieving long-term hair removal.