Keloids represent one of the most stubborn fibroproliferative disorders in dermatology, often resistant to standard therapies. Dr. Shinta Fitri Boesoirie documented a rare case of giant auricular keloids successfully managed through a combination of surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy.

The patient, a young adult, presented with large, disfiguring keloids on both ears that interfered with daily activities and self-esteem. Simple excision was deemed insufficient due to the high risk of recurrence. Instead, the surgical removal was immediately followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, targeting residual fibroblast activity.

Histopathological examination confirmed dense collagen deposition typical of keloids, while the radiotherapy protocol effectively minimized fibroblast proliferation. Follow-up showed excellent cosmetic results, with no significant recurrence after months of observation.

The authors stress that the management of giant keloids requires a multidisciplinary strategy, balancing functional and cosmetic concerns. By combining surgery with radiotherapy, recurrence rates—often exceeding 50% with excision alone—can be markedly reduced.

This case adds valuable evidence supporting multimodal therapy in dermatologic surgery. For patients with large, recurrent, or refractory keloids, integrating radiotherapy into postoperative care may provide the best chance for durable remission.

The work advances SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by improving treatment options for patients with disfiguring conditions and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by showing how advanced care can be applied even in resource-limited settings. Through this, Universitas Padjadjaran reinforces its role as a driver of medical progress and contributor to the THE Impact Rankings.

Chronic kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis frequently experience systemic inflammation, which worsens prognosis. Dr. Rudi Supriyadi and his team explored whether supplementation with reduced L-glutathione, a key antioxidant, could dampen inflammation markers in these vulnerable patients.

The trial assessed serum levels of TNF-α and hs-CRP, alongside the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as indicators of systemic inflammation. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in all three parameters following supplementation, suggesting a promising adjunctive therapy for dialysis populations.

The biochemical rationale lies in glutathione’s central role in neutralizing free radicals and maintaining redox balance. In patients repeatedly exposed to oxidative stress from hemodialysis, restoring antioxidant capacity may directly influence inflammatory signaling pathways.

Notably, the clinical benefits extended beyond laboratory markers. Participants reported improved well-being and lower fatigue levels, though these were not the primary endpoints. Such patient-reported outcomes align with the physiological improvements observed.

These findings open new possibilities for integrating nutritional interventions into nephrology care. While larger multicenter trials are required, the study positions glutathione supplementation as a simple, low-cost approach to mitigate chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients.

This research contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by enhancing quality of life and survival prospects for dialysis patients, and to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production through the use of safe, sustainable nutritional interventions. It highlights Universitas Padjadjaran’s commitment to health innovation, reinforcing its standing in the THE Impact Rankings.

In reconstructive surgery, venous flaps are a crucial option but are often hampered by ischemia–reperfusion injury. A recent study led by Rani Septrina from Universitas Padjadjaran investigated how ischemic preconditioning (IPC) could improve outcomes in arterialized venous flaps, with a special focus on temperature monitoring as a predictive factor. The team explored whether brief cycles of ischemia before surgery could enhance flap survival.

The researchers designed a series of experiments in animal models, applying IPC protocols under different thermal conditions. They found that controlled hypothermia during the preconditioning phase produced a more protective effect against reperfusion injury, while normothermic settings provided less consistent results. These findings emphasize the importance of temperature as a modifiable variable during microsurgical procedures.

Interestingly, the study highlighted that ischemic preconditioning works by triggering cellular defense mechanisms, reducing oxidative stress, and preserving microvascular integrity. In the arterialized venous flap, where venous drainage is already precarious, these effects proved vital.

Temperature monitoring emerged as more than a supportive parameter—it became a predictor of flap viability. The authors argue that intraoperative thermal control could be integrated into surgical monitoring systems, offering real-time indicators of ischemic tolerance.

Ultimately, the research underscores the potential for IPC to expand the reliability of venous flaps in reconstructive microsurgery. If translated into clinical practice, such protocols could reduce complication rates, shorten hospital stays, and improve functional and aesthetic outcomes for patients.

This study contributes directly to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by improving surgical safety and outcomes, while also touching on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through the development of new surgical monitoring strategies. Universitas Padjadjaran’s work strengthens Indonesia’s visibility in global biomedical innovation and reinforces the university’s role in the THE Impact Rankings.

When Vaccines Fail: Unpad Study Reveals HPV’s Hidden Role in Genital Wart Treatments

In the fight against sexually transmitted infections, vaccines are often celebrated as miracle tools. But new research from Universitas Padjadjaran has uncovered a crucial complication: certain strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) may reduce the effectiveness of using measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines as an alternative therapy for genital warts. The case study, led by Dr. Pati Aji Achdiat and colleagues at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, shows how high-risk HPV strains can resist immunotherapy, complicating treatment strategies for young patients.

The team studied a 17-year-old male patient with 51 genital wart lesions. Although MMR vaccine injections have been successful in clearing warts in many patients, this case was different. The patient tested positive for both low-risk HPV types (6 and 11) and a high-risk oncogenic strain (HPV 16). After three rounds of MMR immunotherapy, the warts remained unchanged, proving resistant to treatment. Ultimately, the lesions required surgical removal through electrocautery.

The findings carry a strong public health message: not all warts are equal, and not all treatments will work universally. Physicians and patients should be aware that HPV testing plays a crucial role before deciding on immunotherapy. Early detection of high-risk strains could save time, costs, and patient distress. Moreover, prevention through HPV vaccination and safer sexual practices remains the most powerful strategy to curb HPV’s widespread burden.

This study contributes directly to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by strengthening the evidence base for better STI management. Universitas Padjadjaran’s work reinforces the importance of integrating advanced diagnostics into routine care while raising awareness about prevention. By linking global vaccine debates to local realities, Unpad shows how Indonesian research continues to shape global health innovation.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is most commonly associated with genital warts, but a study by Universitas Padjadjaran dermatologists has shown how the virus can appear in unusual ways, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Led by Dr. Pati Aji Achdiat of the Faculty of Medicine, the team reported a case of an HIV-positive patient whose hand and foot warts were caused by HPV type 6—a strain typically linked to genital infections.

The patient, struggling with HIV-related immune suppression, developed widespread verruca vulgaris (common warts). When the lesions were tested, doctors were surprised to find HPV type 6 present in the skin of the hands and feet, an atypical finding rarely documented before. This case highlights how immunocompromised individuals may show unusual disease patterns, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.

While warts may seem minor, in immunosuppressed patients they can cause pain, secondary infections, and social stigma. The discovery of genital-associated HPV outside its usual site also raises new questions for clinicians. Should routine HPV testing expand to cover more body sites in HIV patients? Could this knowledge help prevent further complications?

The case underscores the importance of personalized care for patients living with HIV. By recognizing unusual presentations of infections, doctors can adapt their diagnostic approach and ensure timely intervention. This is especially relevant in Indonesia, where access to comprehensive HIV care remains uneven.

Universitas Padjadjaran’s contribution here is both scientific and human-centered, reminding us that viruses adapt in surprising ways, and so must medical practice. It directly supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, while demonstrating the university’s role in strengthening clinical understanding worldwide.