Surgical experience with lymphangioma in infants and children

Twenty-nine consecutive cases of lymphangioma seen and managed at the Department of Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, between August 1974 and January 1981 are reviewed here. More than half the lesions (58.6%) were noted at birth and about 90% presented during the first year of life. All patients were treated by surgical excision soon after recognition, in order to prevent extensive local growth and expansion which can encroach on vital structures such as nerves, major vessels and the trachea. Surgical resection was complete where possible, with preservation of vital structures. There were no deaths. Morbidity was confined to wound infection and haematoma, respiratory distress and in one case, a facial palsy. Eight patients required two or more operations for complete excision.