Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
Barry A S Lycka
Barry Lycka Professional Corp., Canada
Keynote: J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
Introduction: Bleeding represents a significant complication of dermatologic surgery, affecting 42% of patients greater than 80 years of age and 26% of patients under the age of 80 after excision of non-melanoma skin cancer in a recent study (1) It is a common occurrence after Botulinum and filler injection as well as laser surgery. In 2007, Haines Ely proposed a solution. It was based on an observation initially made when he was a phlebotomist as a college freshman working in the lab of Colonel James Ash (founder of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP]). He noted that patients who had eaten ice cream were noted to have a milky serum and did not bleed when blood was drawn. Later, when Ely had undergone a surgical procedure and suffered a hemorrhagic complication, he used this principle to stop the bleeding. This study looks at this method in clinical settings. Study: From September 2007 until April 2015, all patients undergoing Moh�s surgery, filler, Botox� and laser treatments in my clinic who were at a high risk for hemorrhagic sequelae (based on history, anticoagulation intake etc.) were fed ice cream with a high fat content 10 minutes before surgery or injection. We used Marble Slab ice cream (Marble Slab Creamery, Calgary, AB T2G 5N9), which has 10-11 gm fat per 2 ounce serving. The resulting effect on post-op bleeding (contusion, bruising and hemorrhage) was noted. The results were compared with historic controls from 2002-2007 Results: From 2007 to 2015, 1011 patients were pretreated with ice cream prior to Mohs Micrographic surgery, 1357 prior to Botulinum injections, 1153 prior to filler injections, and 1107 prior to laser treatments. This resulted in a decrease in bleeding complications from 7% to less than 1%. (Chi squared � 3 df -93.5 p<0.001) Discussion: Bleeding after surgery can be a devastating event. It occurs frequently in dermatology and is closely related to anticoagulation use. What is needed is an easy, cost-effective way to administer an application that reverses bleeding at the time of surgery and is readily reversible. The observations by Ely provided the answer for this simple and elegant study. Feeding patients ice-cream 10 minutes prior to surgical intervention (Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Botulinum and filler injection) resulted in a huge diminution in the numbers having the complication of bleeding. Why do foods high in fat content affect the hemostatic mechanism? Triglycerides from dietary fat are absorbed across the small intestinal lining where chylomicrons are formed. Chylomicrons are released by the intestinal cells and enter the lymph system. Chylomicrons then travel for a short distance and enter the bloodstream. Along with chylomicrons, chylomicron remnants, and VLDL, changes in blood coagulation (clotting) occur in the postprandial period. Directly, clotting factor VII is activated, as well as plasminogen activator inhibitor-I, both of which encourage blood clot formation. Indirectly, recent work has shown that a high fat, high sugar meal causes an immediate increase in absorption of bacterial endotoxin from the gut. (4) Endotoxin directly activates platelet aggregation. Emulsified fats increase this absorption even more. (5) Commonly used emulsifiers in ice cream such as carboxymethyl cellulose and polysorbate 80 further increase plasma endotoxin levels above those seen with simple emulsification. (5) IL-6 and endotoxin receptor sCD14 are increased in human plasma after a high fat ice cream meal and these also contribute to platelet activation. (5) High fat ice cream delivers the triple whammy of chylomicrons, increased circulating chylomicron remnants, and endotoxin absorption with subsequent platelet activation. In summary, the current paper compared bleeding in patients undergoing a dermatologic surgical procedure including Mohs micrographic surgery, injection of botulinum and filler injections, and laser surgery, before and after ingestion of material with a high fat content (from Marble Slab Creamery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada).This resulted in the incidence of hemorrhagic sequelae decreasing from 7% to less than 1%.
Barry Lycka is one of North America’s foremost authorities on cosmetic surgery, skin cancer surgery, reconstructive surgery and laser surgery of the skin. He graduated from the University of Alberta in Medicine, in 1983. He completed his internship at the Misericordia hospital in Edmonton and then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at University of Alberta. He completed a 2nd Residency interning in Dermatology at the University of Minnesota in 1989. He is recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta as a specialist in Dermatology. He founded the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation and co-developed a telephone app for Dr.’s called “Dermatologist in your pocket”. He is a proud member of the Doctors for the Practice of Safe and Ethical Aesthetic Medicine, The Rotary Club and volunteers with many organizations; as he believes it is very important to give back to the community and those less fortunate.
Email: assistant@barrylyckamd.com