Congenital vascular malformations: general treatment principles

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Traditional surgical excision was the primary treatment for venous malformations (VM).
• Limitations of surgical excision alone for certain VM presentations have become apparent.
• Advancements in minimally invasive techniques have expanded treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the shift from sole surgical excision to a multidisciplinary approach for VM treatment.
• To emphasize the role of endovascular therapies in managing VM.
• To establish the current standard of care for venous malformations.

Main Methods:

• Review of current treatment paradigms for venous malformations.
• Integration of surgical and endovascular therapeutic strategies.
• Focus on embolization and sclerotherapy as key endovascular modalities.

Main Results:

• Surgical excision alone is no longer the sole or preferred treatment for all VMs.
• A multidisciplinary approach combining surgical and endovascular therapy is the current standard of care.
• Endovascular therapy (embolization, sclerotherapy) is crucial for surgically inaccessible VM lesions.

Conclusions:

• The management of venous malformations has evolved to a combined surgical and endovascular approach.
• Endovascular therapies are essential for treating complex or inaccessible VM.
• Combined therapy enhances the effectiveness of VM treatment compared to surgery alone.