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Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None disclosed.

Background: Light-emitting diode (LED) has been used for wound healing because of its stimulatory effects on fibroblast proliferation, matrix synthesis, angiogenesis, and downmodulation of inflammatory reactions., Objective: The aim of the authors' study was to investigate the effects of red LED (wavelength 633 nm) photomodulation on lower extremity surgical defects left to heal by secondary intention., Materials and Methods: Fourteen subjects with surgical defects of the lower leg were irradiated with a 633 ± 3-nm light source for 20 minutes (105 mW/cm, 126 J/cm) at 4 weekly sessions., Results: The number of days required for wounds to heal was greater in the treatment group (63.2 ± 12.2 days) than in the control group (48.67 ± 11.1 days), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = .07). The percentage of the original wound remaining was not statistically different between treatment and control groups between Weeks 1 and 2 (p = .71) and Weeks 3 and 4 (p = .56). It was significant between Weeks 2 and 3 (p = .01)., Conclusion: This study revealed that red LED photomodulation at a wavelength of 633 nm did not result in clinical improvement in wound healing of surgical defects on the lower extremities.

Children who are not adequately protected from the sun have an increased risk for developing skin cancers later in life. The primary objective of this study was to determine the sun protection behaviors that black and Hispanic parents in Miami, Florida, employ in infants younger than 6 months. Secondary objectives included determining if this patient population is at risk for infant sunburns and tanning, beliefs among parents regarding sunscreen's efficacy in the prevention of skin cancers, and limitations of sunscreen use. An institutional review board-approved survey was administered to parents presenting to the University of Miami general pediatrics clinic. The main outcome measure was the self-reported consistency with which parents employed each of 6 sun protection strategies in infants. The results of this study highlight some potential shortcomings in current practices in sun protection for black and Hispanic infants.

Background: There have been several articles characterizing cases of pigmented basal cell carcinomas (PBCC). Previous studies have also evaluated the relationship between histologic pattern and frequency of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) associated with pigment formation. No specific studies, however, have examined the subclinical extension and surgical margins of PBCC tumors., Objective: A prospective study of 345 Mohs micrographic BCC surgical cases revealed 67 PBCC cases. Analysis of patient details included patient age and sex, the lesional site, histologic subtype, tumor size, final surgical margin, and the number of stages required to achieve tumor-free margins together with the presence or absence of pigment., Methods: This study was performed between May 2004 and January 2005 at the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Mohs Surgery Center., Results: Total mean surgical margin was smaller in the PBCC than the nonpigmented BCC (NPBCC) group (3.89 mm vs. 5.85 mm; p<0.05). In lesions less than 2 cm in size, there were even more significant differences between the two groups (3.32 mm vs. 5.33 mm; p<0.05), and also between the aggressive and nonaggressive histologically diagnosed groups (3.13 mm vs. 5.01 mm; p<0.05)., Conclusions: We have demonstrated that PBCC requires a smaller surgical margin for complete tumor excision than NPBCC, especially in smaller tumors and in the nonaggressive histologic subtype group. Treatment within the early growth stages also involves less subclinical microscopic invasion and a smaller surgical margin in PBCC.

High quality frozen sections are fundamental in Mohs surgery, and one of the main elements in tissue processing is the mounting of the specimen. The Miami Special has been used for this purpose at the University of Miami for over 30 years. Since 1989 the Miami Special has languished in the literature among a growing list of mounting instruments. Therefore, new generations of Mohs surgeons may not be acquainted with the advantages of this instrument. This article describes the Miami Special and outlines its use for the benefit of current practitioners.