Definition
A hemangioma is a non-cancerous blood vessel growth. Excision is surgery to remove it.
Alternative Names
Birthmark excisionDescription
While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), the hemangioma is removed. If the hemangioma was large, the site may be covered with a skin graft.
Indications
Hemangiomas are the most common benign (non-cancerous) blood vessel growths in infants and children. Most go away with time, and occasionally with medication.
Large hemangiomas that cause symptoms or are disfiguring may require surgical excision. Alternatively, laser treatment may be an option if the hemangioma is superficial. Some liver hemangiomas are treated by blocking their feeding arteries (embolization).
Risks
The risks for any anesthesia are:
- Reactions to medications
- Problems breathing
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
Expectations after surgery
Cosmetic improvements depend on the size and location of the lesion and the surgeon's skill. Generally, the long-term outlook is quite good.
Convalescence
The hospital stay will depend on the extent of surgery. Complete healing may take up to 6 weeks.
| • | Hemangioma |
| • | Skin graft |
Reviewed By: Jeremy Goverman, M.D., Department of Trauma and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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