Surgical treatment of craniofacial haemangioma in children

Background/purpose Infantile haemangiomas are the most common tumours of infancy, with an incidence of up to 12%. The craniofacial area is affected in 60% of cases, which represents a therapeutic challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indications, results and complications of early surgical management of craniofacial haemangiomas.Patients and methods Twenty-eight patients with craniofacial haemangiomas (18 females and 10 males) were subjected to surgical treatment between 2006 and 2010. They were presented within the first 2 years of life. For each patient, the age, sex, site, indication of surgery and postoperative complications were recorded.Results All patients in the study had a single lesion. Surgery consisted of complete, one-stage excision with primary closure (19 patients) or closure with local flaps (nine patients). Postoperative complications (25%) included partial disruption (two patients), partial recurrence (two patients) and one case each of haematoma, partial skin necrosis and infection.Conclusion Surgical treatment is the prime goal in cases of haemangioma obstructing vital functions and complicated haemangioma. Surgery offers a short-term period of treatment with good results.Keywords: craniofacial area, haemangioma, surgical treatmen