Surgical management of vascular malformations of the head and neck

The evaluation and treatment of non-involuting hemangiomas with arteriovenous components and arteriovenous malformations of the head and neck remain difficult. Surgical excision is still the most important and effective method of controlling these lesions. Radiotherapy should never be used. It is ineffective, dangerous, and often complicates any later operation that may be required. Evaluation of vascular malformations with computerized tomography, arteriography, magnetic nuclear imaging, and Doppler mapping will aid diagnosis. Adjunctive hypotensive anesthesia, intraoperative embolization with Gelfoam, and temporary peripheral suture ligations have made the surgical task more manageable. The integration of reconstructive techniques into the surgical program is essential if optimum results are to be obtained. Incisions must be planned so that future flap patterns are preserved. Axial vessels may be needed later. Fascial slings, muscle transfers, nerve grafts, and tissue expansion of adjacent normal tissue may be needed to maintain and restore function and features. Above all, the treatment of each patient requires individual planning. The most common errors in the treatment of vascular hemangiomas result from missed diagnoses and faint-heartedness in tackling the surgical removal of such highly vascular tumors. Many patients go for years without finding a surgeon who will help them. We believe that aggressive surgical treatment offers much to many of these patients.