title: Early surgical excision of giant congenital hemangiomas of the scalp in newborns: clinical indications and reconstructive aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infantile hemangioma is the most common vascular tumor in newborns, with an incidence from 12 to 23% among preterm infants with low weight at birth and a female to male ratio of 3:1. The head and neck is the most frequently affected area (60%), and the scalp is a typical site for such large lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We describe some clinical and medical aspects in comparison with the surgical approach to giant infantile hemangioma of the scalp.
  
  
  METHODS
  The indications to treatment are discussed. An outcome basis evaluation, by reviewing some clinical cases, is provided to help readers better understand when and how to undergo surgery safely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early excision of huge infantile hemangioma of the scalp is the treatment of choice if feasible within 5 months of age.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. luigino.santecchia@opbg.net
authors.forename: Luigino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santecchia
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francesca Bianciardi Valassina
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maggiulli
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spuntarelli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zama
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*