Late results in the treatment of vascular malformations

Abstract

The data in literature for late results in treatment of vascular malformations are still rare and concern almost exclusively the peripheral angiodysplasias. In the present work, the late results in 700 of a total of 1036 patients are investigated, diagnosed, and treated over the last 33 years and followed for 10 years. The types, species, and morphological forms of vascular malformations, as well as the therapeutic tactics applied, were analyzed. The late results are separated into eight categories: excellent (115 cases), good (240 cases), improvement (294 cases), relapse (26 cases), no change (10 cases), worse (9 cases), amputation (5 cases), and exitus letalis (1 case). Analysis of the late results leads to the following conclusions: treatment must be performed in childhood, in many stages; must be active and causal; individual and unconventional; functionally radical, and frequently multidisciplinary, and combined. Experience shows that with good will, indispensable knowledge, and surgical creativity “ars possibilis” is probable.