Vascular malformations are a type of birthmark or growth, often present at birth and composed of blood vessels that can cause functional or cosmetic problems. Congenital or acquired blood vessel abnormalities can involve arteries, veins, capillaries, lymphatics, and combinations of these blood vessels. While many of these blood vessel malformations are apparent at birth, others do not show up until later, during the childhood and teenage years.
There are several different types of vascular malformations and they are named according to which type of blood vessel is predominantly affected. The most common blood vessel abnormalities that impact children in the first year of life are hemangiomas, the majority of which will improve throughout childhood. In general, the management of vascular malformation is expectant in nature with both noninvasive and invasive treatment of symptomatic lesions. Lesions located in the head and neck region, however, require special attention as they can cause obstruction of critical structures such as the visual axis or the airway.
Vascular malformations are congenital (since birth) deformities of blood vessels. They may be low flow (venous), high flow ( arterial) or combination of these (arteriovenous). If large and symptomatic, require operative management. To evaluate complications and success of mandibular reconstruction with free fibula flaps, iliac crest flaps, and forearm flaps with reconstruction plates and to evaluate dental rehabilitation after these reconstructions. Reconstructive orthopedic surgery to treat bone loss due to severe trauma, pseudarthroses, chronic osteomyelitis, or tumors can be performed using a range of techniques, such as external or internal fixation and the use of endoprostheses or nonvascularized bone flaps.
