Novel hemostatic alternatives in reconstructive surgery

Congenital vascular lesions are classed as hemangiomas, vascular malformations, or vascular tumors according to their histology and etiology. The majority of hemangiomas are benign and often involute before the child reaches the age of 12. Severe hemangiomas and vascular malformations were historically viewed as effectively inoperable due to the high risk of potentially catastrophic bleeding during surgery. An effective system of classification and increasing range of therapeutic options have improved the prognosis for many patients, but surgical resection of these lesions remains a serious undertaking. Topical hemostatic agents are widely used and effective in many cases for the control of intraoperative bleeding. The main limitations of these agents are their variability and lack of efficacy in severe bleeding, or in coagulopathic or anticoagulant-treated patients. This paper reviews recent developments in this field, including the possible placental origin of hemangiomas, and discusses current approaches to hemostasis during reconstructive surgery. We also discuss the recent introduction of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) as a systemic hemostatic agent, including our own experience using this treatment.