Surgical Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas in the Era of Propranolol - Abstract
Background: Despite the proven efficacy and safety of beta-blockers in the management of infantile hemangiomas (IH), there are still many patients requiring surgical treatment. The aim of our study is to analize the current indications for surgical treatment of IH in the era of propranolol.
Methods: This is a retrospective study from 2009 until 2014, including 45 children (38 females and 7males) referred from other centers to our institution for surgical treatment of an IH. Epidemiological, clinical and treatment data were collected and variables analyzed.
Results: Of the 45 patients included in the study, 22 patients were not offered any treatment as it was not considered necessary, 16 were treated with a systemic b-blocker, 3 patients, despite being considered candidates for propranolol therapy, refused it for fear of potential adverse side effects and the remaining 4 received an alternative treatment. The average age of patients at their first visit to surgery consultation was 32.41 months (SD 36.71), the average age of initiation of treatment with propranolol was 10.58 months (SD 7.99) and the average age at time of surgery was 29.11 months (SD 16.10).
Conclusion: No indication for propranolol treatment or the delays in its administration are the main current causes of surgical treatment of IH. Therefore it is important to improve protocols to establish more effective and preventative guidelines that would reduce the need for subsequent surgery.