INTRODUCTION
This edition of Resident Spotlight features Michael McLeod's
winning poster,“Predictive Factors for Severity of Scar Formation
After Skin Cancer Surgeries ” from the
Orlando Dermatology Aesthetic & Clinical Conference (ODAC)
Second Annual Advanced Resident Training & Education (ARTE)
poster competition.
ABSTRACT
The primary objective of the study was to determine if certain
factors such as age, race, skin type, smoking, alcohol consumption,
or type of wound closure would predict the likelihood of
outcome using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) or Scar Severity
Scale (SSS) measures. Designed as a prospective, observational
cohort involving 56 patients undergoing surgeries for skin
cancer at the Mohs/Laser unit at the University of Miami Hospitals
and Clinics at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
There were no statistically signifi cant correlations between the
dependent variable, VSS, and the independent variables of
age, gender, Fitzpatrick skin type, race, smoking status, alcohol
consumption, radiation history, keloid history, wound area
and wound depth (all P values greater than 0.05). There was
one statistically signifi cant correlation between wound closure
and SSS. An odds ratio was calculated for the type of wound
closure and SSS. An odds ratio was calculated for the type of
wound closure and SSS score to be 0.73.
“This poster provided insight into which patient types, surgical
location and surgical methods are at greatest risk of scarring.
The information is valuable to the dermatologic surgeon in
making judgments on the best surgical approach and post-op
wound care. ”
Mark Bechtel, MD ODAC Judge, Poster Session
ODAC Judge, Poster SessionJane M. Grant-Kels, MD
ODAC Judge, Poster Session
ODAC Judge, Poster Session
Michael P. McLeod is currently pursuing
an M.D. at the University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine and carrying
out a two-year research fellowship
with Dr. Keyvan Nouri. He graduated
from the University of Guelph in Canada
with Honors in Biological Science.
Next, he completed a Master's Degree
in Biomedicine at Florida Atlantic University.
During his fi rst two years of
medical school, he co-discovered a new way to measure the
toxic contaminant diethylene glycol in glycerin based cough
syrup using total attenuated fourier transform infrared and near
infrared spectroscopy. Most recently, he is continuing his work
in spectroscopy by defi ning the light absorption characteristics
of cutaneous tumors. In the future, he hopes to complete a
residency training program in dermatology with fellowships in
dermatopathology, Mohs micrographic surgery and laser medicine.
He would like to become a physician scientist conducting
clinical trials, basic science research and writing textbooks. He
is the author of numerous reviews, book chapters and case reports,
primarily in the fi eld of dermatology. Michael has also
given back to the community, by assisting in designing a Sun
Safety Project to raise awareness and prevent skin cancer at
local area schools and homeless shelters, as well as by being a
member of the Board of Directors for the annual Melanoma 5K
in Miami, FL. Before medical school, he was an avid equestrian,
winning two national championships.
