ABSTRACT
Vascular anomalies have been noted in history and folklore for centuries. Patients with excessive extremity, truncal, buttocks, perineal, or genital bulk secondary to their vascular anomalies and associated overgrowth may benefit from debulking procedures. Esophageal or rectal lesions difficult to access via the peritoneal cavity can be treated by endoscopic sclerotherapy, band ligation, or transanal excision. Rectal sclerotherapy can cause a feeling of fullness in about 90% of patients, but 10% of patients will have exquisite perianal pain similar to a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Malformation regrowth is possible after debulking procedures as there is likely microscopic vascular malformation left over even if all visible affected tissue is removed. Quality of life may include esthetic or functional improvement, decreased pain, or decreased bleeding/leaking. Evidence of improvement may include increased hemoglobin/hematocrit, decreased transfusion requirements, decreased incidence of infections, or improved validated quality-of-life measures. Vascular malformations consist of vessels that formed abnormally during development.
