[Surgical treatment of superficial vascular malformations. Indications for tissue expansion]

The aim of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of surgical exeresis of superficial vascular malformations using tissue expansion. A retrospective analysis of data from 15 patients who underwent surgery over a 9 year period for arteriovenous (n = 6) and venous malformations of the trunk and limbs was made. Indications for treatment were pain in six patients or complications of an arteriovenous malformation. Twenty-eight expanders were used in 15 patients. Most of the complications observed (25% of the cases) were minor. The program had to be interrupted due to complications in only one case (7%). Mean duration of tissue expansion was 105 days (30-165). Mean delay to cicatrization was 40 days and mean duration of the treatment program was 156 days. Indication for surgical exeresis of superficial vascular malformations can be widened due the contribution of tissue expansion. With acquired experience, the risk of complications has been reduced. The duration of the treatment protocol is the main drawback.