SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL VASCULA R MALFORMATIONS - INDICATIONS FOR TISSUE EXPANSION

The aim of this work was to demonstrate the feasability of surgical ex eresis 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 malformatio ns of the trunk and limbs was made. Indications for treatment were pai n in six patients or complications of an arteriovenous malformation. T wenty-eight expanders were used in 15 patients. Most of the complicati ons observed (25 % of the cases) were minor. The program had to be int errupted due to complications in only one case (7 %). Mean duration of tissue expansion was 105 days (30-165). Mean delay to cicatrization w as 40 days and mean duration of the treatment program was 156 days. In dication for surgical exeresis of superficial vascular malformations c an be widened due the contribution of tissue expansion. With acquired experience, the risk of complications has been reduced. The duration o f the treatment protocol is the main drawback (J Mal Vasc 1996; 21 : p ages 31-35).