Use of the LigaSure in Cervicofacial Venous Malformation Excision

Complete surgical excision of venous malformations (VMs) is frequently complicated by massive bleeding and nerve damage, particularly in the cervicofacial area. This report describes a novel technique for the resection of cervicofacial VMs using the LigaSure (Valleylab, Tyco International Healthcare, Boulder, CO) vessel sealing system. We report three cases of VM excision using this vessel sealing system, and recorded intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, operative time, and postoperative complications. In all cases employing the Ligasure, perioperative blood loss was less than 600 ml, no patients developed postoperative hematomas or other bleeding complications, and no patients developed a facial palsy even if the VM was located close to the facial nerve. LigaSure provides excellent hemostasis with few complications when used for cervicofacial VMs.