Principles of treatment

Abstract

A specific decision about how to treat CVM should be taken for each case. Truncular defect are mainly treated by surgiccal techniques; sometimes also endovascular procedures may be indicated. Extratruncular forms can be treated with all available procedures (surgery, sclerosis, laser and radiofrequency). Infiltrating forms may be best approached by steps, sometimes with a combination of techniques. Crucial is the availability of all methods in order to be able to select the best for the single case. Support therapy is required for pain treatment. In extratruncular venous malformations it is mainly due to thrombosis which can be successfully treated by low molecular heparine. Pain in extratruncular lymphatic malformations is due to infection and should be treatd with antibiotics. Limb edema requires elastic stockings and phlebotonic drugs.