[Vascular malformations of the limbs. Role of vascular and reconstructive surgery]

The progress made by noninvasive exploration for the assessment of vascular malformations now allows the therapeutic strategies to be better established. While observation and conservative methods are most often chosen, some venous or arteriovenous malformations lead to contemplating a palliative or curative treatment. Two therapeutic choices may thus be used: embolization through an arterial route or, most often, through direct puncture of the malformation, or exeresis surgery, sometimes associated to surgery for tissue reconstruction. These techniques may be used alone, but are most often associated within the scope of a multidisciplinary management of the condition.