Surgery for Vascular Anomalies

Sometimes surgery is the best option for vascular malformations. When you choose Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, your child is in some of the most capable hands in the country. Our team includes trusted pediatric surgeons from multiple subspecialties, all of whom specialize in vascular malformations.

We take on some of the most challenging cases in the Western U.S. and consistently achieve excellent results. Our team offers a level of expertise that goes beyond simply treating malformations. Your child benefits from sophisticated techniques that relieve discomfort, preserve functioning, restore natural appearance and minimize the risk of recurrence.

Surgery for Vascular Anomalies: Why Choose Us

Our team includes pediatric general surgeons, plastic surgeons, orthopedic oncologists and otolaryngology – head and neck surgeons. Our experts are Board-certified, have completed advanced training through fellowships and stay current on the latest vascular anomalies research. This level of expertise translates to the best possible care for your child. Meet our team.

Highlights of our program include:

• Medically appropriate surgery: Our multidisciplinary approach ensures we only perform surgery when we’re confident your child will benefit. In addition to surgeons, dermatologists, interventional radiologists, hematologist-oncologists and other specialists participate in treatment planning. We consider every possible option, including medical treatments.
• Family-centered services: Some anomalies require immediate surgery, especially when there’s an airway concern. Other times, it’s best to give your child’s body time to develop. Our team clearly explains the rationale for our recommendations. We also take time to address any questions or concerns your family may have.
• Compassionate care: Preserving your child’s positive self-image is an important aspect of the care we provide. For highly visible vascular anomalies, we often perform surgery before children are old enough to feel self-conscious about them. If the anomaly’s appearance does not bother your child and immediate surgery is not necessary, we recommend waiting.

Second Opinions and Adult Consultations for Vascular Anomalies Surgery

If your child is not a Children’s Hospital patient, we can still review the case. Hearing from the specialists on our multidisciplinary team is helpful, especially when considering surgery for a vascular anomaly. Get more information about online second opinions.

Adult consultations are for patients 21 and older who have signs or symptoms of vascular anomalies. This includes individuals whose symptoms do not appear until later in life or who need ongoing care. We provide personalized care recommendations and may coordinate a referral to the appropriate adult surgical subspecialist.

Surgical Services for Vascular Anomalies

Care may include one or more types of surgery. The right procedures for your child depend on the diagnosis, symptom severity and impact on daily activities. Our surgeons work collaboratively to provide the best possible surgical outcome in patients with complex vascular anomalies.

Surgery for vascular anomalies may include:

Plastic surgery

Experts from Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery provide the full spectrum of surgical treatment for vascular anomalies with expertise in tissue reconstruction and advanced techniques to improve cosmetic outcome.

Treatments include:

• Surgical resection and debulking procedures for complex vascular malformations and tumors, particularly in cosmetically sensitive areas of the body.
• Tissue reconstruction after vascular anomalies surgery which involves transfer of tissue or skin from healthy areas of the body to the surgical wound.

Pediatric general surgery

These experts remove vascular anomalies in nearly every area of the body except the brain and heart. Our general surgeons have special training in the unique needs of children and best techniques for developing bodies.

Pediatric general surgery procedures include:

• Excision: Fully removing the anomaly.
• Debulking: Removing as much of the anomaly as possible. This option is for vascular anomalies that are not possible to safely remove entirely. Making them smaller can relieve symptoms or make them less noticeable.

Ear, nose and throat surgery

Experts from Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery treat vascular malformations affecting the:

• Ears
• Face
• Inside of the mouth, including the tongue
• Neck
• Nose
• Throat

Malformations may be painful or affect appearance. We carefully remove them, if it is safe to do so, even when they are in hard-to-reach areas.

For large malformations affecting airways, surgery may include reconstruction. This procedure uses healthy tissue from other areas to repair the airway so that your child can breathe without a tube.

Orthopedic surgery

Orthopedic oncologists from the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center specialize in removing vascular tumors affecting the pelvis and extremities. These tumors are rarely cancerous. But they can form in areas that make it difficult to move, especially when they affect the:

• Bones
• Joints
• Muscles
• Nerves
• Major blood vessels
• Tendons

These tumors require the expertise of pediatric specialists with deep knowledge of the musculoskeletal system. Our orthopedic oncologists determine the safest method for removing these tumors. The approach also includes preserving delicate tissue to maximize functioning in the pelvis, arms and legs.

Neurosurgical Care for Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformations in the brain and spinal cord require specialized care that only our pediatric specialists can provide. These conditions include dural arteriovenous fistulas and aneurysms. Treatment often includes neurosurgery. We also offer radiosurgery to safely remove malformations in hard-to-reach areas.

Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Care for Children

We offer access to multiple pediatric subspecialists in one convenient location in Los Angeles. Find out more about our Vascular Anomalies Center.