COMPARISON BETWEEN SURGICAL VS LASER TREATMENT OF HEMANGIOMAS-A RETROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY OF 25 CASES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hemangiomas are one of the most common congenital abnormality that produces tumor-like swelling. Hemangiomas, usually undergo spontaneous involution, it does not require any intervention but some patients have a functional impairment or cosmetic disgurement which requires active management. For the last three decades, the laser has proved its efcacy in the treatment of hemangiomas in different studies and it is widely used nowadays. So In this study, we have compared the results of the use of Nd-YAG laser and surgery in the management of patients with hemangiomas. 25 cases of hemangiomas have been admitted to our care betweenMATERIALS AND METHODS: March 1991 till April 2022 and studied in the present study. Detailed history and clinical examination, with regards to age, sex, site, size mode of presentation, complications, etc. were noted. Surgery was tried in 13 patients with hemangioma and 12 patients received laser treatment. Various comparison in the form of complete or partial regression/excision, Scarring, Post op. bleeding, Post op. infection, and recurrence has been done in our study. In our study, around 90% of patients are below 30 years of age and 56% are female. Silent lesions were 36%, and LesionsRESULTS: with complications were 64%. Incidence of capillary hemangioma was more compare to cavernous & port-wine stain hemangioma. Out of 25 patients, 12 patients suffering from various types of hemangioma were treated with Nd-YAG laser. Complete resolution of the lesion was achieved in all 12 patients with postoperative scarring in 4(33.3%) patients and Postoperative bleeding in 1(08.3%) patient. 13 patients were treated with surgical excision and ligation of feeders. Most of the hemangioma (84%) can be completely treated by surgery and 8% of them were not excisable. These lesions were invading deeper and vital structures like big veins and nerves. These lesions were planned for laser application later on. Postoperative wound infection was in 38% which was controlled by antibiotics. In 7.6% recurrence was noted after a few days of surgery. CONCLUSION: A hemangioma can be treated successfully by both surgical and laser application but laser therapy is superior to surgery. Any type and any size of hemangioma at any site of the body can be treated by laser therapy. Surgery is always associated with post-operative scarring. Postoperative infection is also one of the most common complications in surgery. During surgery blood loss may be profuse and requires a blood transfusion. The only disadvantage with laser is that it is available in the selected institutes and an expert is required for handling & application of laser.