High- and low-technology solutions for massive cavernous hemangioma of the face: lasers and leeches to the rescue.
A massive cavernous hemangioma of the face has been resected using a combination of old and new techniques. The ability of the neodymium: YAG laser to cut with excellent hemostasis formed the basis for the resection. Adjuncts to the surgical excision included such high-technology modalities as laser Doppler flowmeters and tissue expanders. Flap viability was salvaged by the lowly but essential common leech. This case is presented to illustrate the fantastic array of modalities available to plastic surgeons for major resections and reconstructions.
Apfelberg
D B
DB
Department of Plastic Surgery, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, CA 94301.
Maser
M R
MR
White
D N
DN
Lash
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D007865:Leeches; D008297:Male; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices; D014022:Tissue Survival