Early surgical intervention for Japanese children with infantile hemangioma of the craniofacial region.

Although the indications for surgical intervention in patients with infantile hemangioma during the proliferation and early involution are controversial, it is considered in certain cases. Thirty-two Japanese patients (3 boys and 29 girls) were surgically treated at 24 months or earlier to resolve complications (obstruction of the visual axis, ulceration and bleeding, and deviation of the nasal septal cartilage) or to achieve esthetic improvement. Results were evaluated by 3 indicators: outcome, scarring, and resolution of the functional problem. Excellent or good surgical results were obtained in 81.2% of all patients and in 95% of patients in nonorbital areas. Earlier surgical intervention can be an option for treating infantile hemangioma in the craniofacial region.