Surgical Treatment of Head and Neck Port-Wine Stains by Means of a Staged Zonal Approach

Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

Plast Reconstr Surg

Abstract

Background: The majority of patients with capillary malformations (port-wine stains) develop soft-tissue and bony hypertrophy leading to gross facial asymmetry and functional deficits in vision, breathing, speech, and feeding. The authors describe and illustrate a surgical approach for the treatment of these malformations with restoration of facial symmetry and contour based on facial subunits. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective case series of patients from 2004 to 2011 presenting for primary evaluation and treatment to a tertiary referral center specializing in vascular anomalies. The medical records and photographs of patients with facial capillary malformations and soft-tissue hypertrophy were reviewed. Results: Of the 160 patients who presented with the diagnosis of facial capillary malformation/port-wine stain, 96 (60 percent) had soft-tissue hypertrophy in one or more dermatomes resulting in facial asymmetry. Only 4.4 percent of patients had solely V-1 involvement, 38.8 percent had V-2 involvement, and 15.6 percent had V-3 involvement. The technique and incisions used for each facial zone are described in detail. In all cases, incisions were placed along existing boundaries of facial subunits. Serial pulsed-dye laser treatments were also performed. Conclusions: Sixty percent of patients with facial capillary malformation experience soft-tissue hypertrophy with or without bony remodeling, and surgical correction is required. The authors describe a staged surgical treatment for these patients based on a subunit and zonal approach to the face. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Volume Number

134

Issue Number

5

Pages

1003-1012

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Additional Departments

Otolaryngology

PMID

25054247

DOI

10.1097/prs.0000000000000629

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