[Excision-reconstruction of voluminous facial angioma under extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia]

The authors report a case of voluminous cervicofacial angioma with pelvi-lingual extension which had undergone multiple operations and had embolized. The exeresis consisted of cutaneous sacrifice of 10 x 10 cm combined with a longitudinal hemi-pelvi-glossectomy. Two pediculated musculocutaneous strips of greater pectoris and greater dorsal muscle were associated for reconstruction. The operation took place under extracorporeal circulation by femoral cannulation and deep hypothermia. Post-operative recovery was simple, with resumption of normal phonation and eating. No recurrence was observed upon arteriographic control at six months. The use of extracorporeal circulation is exceptional outside cardiac problems (low tracheal stenosis, intracranial aneurysm). The authors suggest the value of this technique for the treatment of angiomas purportedly inoperable because of the risk of major blood loss.