Surgical Treatment with or without Embolotherapy for Arteriovenous Malformations

The management of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains challenging due to the high rate of recurrence of these lesions. Surgical resection is the only potential cure; however, it is often difficult to perform and carries a risk of massive hemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with AVMs treated by surgical resection.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine patients with AVM, treated with surgical resection. We treated these patients with excision surgery with or without embolotherapy.

Eight were treated with surgical resection with embolotherapy and one was treated with a simple surgical resection. Five patients with AVMs were cured. However, two cases of AVM recurred after total excision, and AVMs remained in two cases of partial excisional surgery in which the lesions involved the joints.

Total excision of AVMs leads to a cure; however, total excision is not adequate in cases of AVMs involving the joints. Multidisciplinary treatment may offer good results in reducing the morbidity. To minimize complications related to surgery, aggressive control of blood flow to the lesion, preoperatively, with appropriate embolotherapy is essential, and a complete resection with a chance of cure will be increased.