Surgical treatment of giant hemangiomas of the head and neck.

This article is a review of 22 cases of giant hemangiomas of the head and neck treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center over a 20-year period 1964 to 1984. All these cases were treated by surgical excision. Two maneuvers designed to reduce blood loss during the operation are described: the placement of strangulating silk sutures around the periphery of the hemangioma, and temporary occlusion of the ipsilateral external carotid artery. These cases were studied as to age, sex, site, size of hemangioma, histopathologic characteristics, mode of treatment, and results. A review of the literature and current modes of treatment of hemangiomas of the head and neck is also presented and our results are compared with those in other published reports. The surgical approach as a primary and definitive treatment for these giant hemangiomas is emphasized.