Treatment Algorithm and Clinical Outcome of Venous Malformations of the Limbs

BACKGROUND Venous malformations of the limbs are congenital low-flow vascular anomalies. A treatment is reasonable if they are symptomatic or if a progressive lesion may affect functional structures. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work is the presentation of clinical results after treatment of venous malformations of the limbs according to the standard algorithm used at the University Hospital of Tuebingen, Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2008 and June 2015, patients with venous malformations of the limbs were subjected to either percutaneous sclerotherapy or surgical excision according to this treatment algorithm. Remaining symptoms such as pain level and disturbing appearance before and after treatment as well as overall satisfaction was assessed the earliest 3 months after last treatment. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients with venous malformations of the limbs were subjected to either 1 or more percutaneous sclerotherapies (n = 19) or surgical excision (n = 21). There were no serious complications that needed surgical revision. There was a statistically significant reduction in the pain level and disturbing appearance after both sclerotherapy and surgical excision (p < .05) in 30 cases in total. The overall treatment satisfaction was rated 7.9/10 and 8.8/10 after sclerotherapy and surgical excision, respectively. CONCLUSION A low complication rate with a high patient satisfaction could be achieved after this treatment algorithm for venous malformations of the limbs.

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