Management of knee arthropathy in patients with vascular malformations

To describe our experience with surgical intervention for symptomatic intraarticular vascular malformations of the knee in patients with peripheral vascular malformations including Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome (KTS).

Eleven patients underwent surgical intervention for symptomatic intraarticular vascular malformations of the knee between 1987 and 2008. Seven patients had KTS, and 4 patients had venous malformations. Surgical indications, imaging studies, clinical course, surgical procedures, complications, and follow-up visits were reviewed and recorded.

A total of 11 patients (8 males; 3 females; mean age, 11.7 years; range, 2.5-23 years) underwent 12 surgical procedures. Five patients had an amputation, and 6 patients had knee synovectomies. One patient had bilateral knee synovectomies. Surgical indications included pain, swelling, limited mobility, and/or loss of knee motion. The average time of follow-up was 54 months (range, 7-109 months). Patient-reported pain scores decreased significantly from a mean of 2.9 +/- 1.4 preoperatively to 1.3 +/- 0.9 postoperatively (P = 0.01).

When necessary, surgical intervention for intraarticular vascular malformations of the knee (amputation or synovectomy) may be effective in decreasing pain and improving mobility in patients with peripheral vascular malformations. It is possible that early synovectomy may slow or prevent the rapid destructive arthritis that occurs in these knees. Surgeons and patients should anticipate complications related to bleeding from vascular malformations. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach to the patient with KTS, particularly when surgical intervention is indicated.