Hot Hypertonic Saline and Compression Device: A Novel Approach in Preventing Severe Hemorrhage during Extirpation of Deep Vascular Malformations of the Face

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage is a serious challenge in vascular malformations (VMs). This problem makes the surgical excision of the lesions difficult and sometimes impossible. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to design a technique that will meet with the challenges of hemorrhage while performing surgery in such lesions in our environment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients with deep and moderately large VMs of the facial region were selected and treated with hot 7.5% hypertonic saline after compressing the feeder vessels. This was then complemented with surgical excisions. RESULTS: There were successful surgical extirpations of the lesions without eventful hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Hot 7.5% hypertonic saline injected into VMs after emptying their hematic content caused sclerosis of the anomalous vessels. This made bleeding during surgery uneventful.