Persistent Nasal Infantile Hemangioma: A Surgical Treatment Algorithm

Treatment of infantile hemangioma is usually medical. The nose is one of the most important aesthetic and functional units of the face; therefore, surgical management is preferred in persistent lesions (fibro-fatty tissue component) that do not respond to medical treatment. Herein, the authors analyze the results of surgical nasal hemangioma treatment in their center, a literature review and propose an algorithm for surgical management. A retrospective analysis of 23 persistent nasal hemangioma operated between 1996 and 2014 at our institution was made. The authors recollected the following demographic and clinical data: hemangioma subtype, phase of evolution, affected aesthetic nasal subunit, previous treatment, surgery type, complications and follow-up period. The Strasser scale was chosen for assessment of postoperative photographic results. Surgical treatment was performed. Age average was 6.8 years old (range 2-19). Mixed hemangioma was the most common subtype (83%). Surgery was mainly performed in the involution phase (87%). The most affected aesthetic subunit was nasal tip (44%). All lesions received previous medical treatment. The most common surgical technique was open rhinoplasty approach. Follow-up was an average of 26.6 months. Aesthetic results according to the Strasser method included: 3 excellent scores, 15 good, 5 regular, and none poor. Surgery was performed on patients in order to correct nasal persistent hemangiomas sequel. The nose has serious psychosocial impact and mixed infantile hemangiomas appear to have a higher rate of persistent hemangioma requiring surgery, but further studies are needed. Aesthetic outcome with surgical procedures chosen were acceptable and no complications were reported.