OBJECTIVETo summarize the characters of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS) and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of drug therapy combined with surgery.

METHODSFrom 2004 to 2010, 59 cases with KMS, who underwent drug therapy and surgery, were retrospectively studied. The average age of the patients, including 33 male and 26 female (male/female, 1.269/1), was 2.9 months (range, 7 days-2.5 years). 28 cases with maxillofacial lesions were treated with the ligation of external carotid artery and injection of carbonyldiamide and methylprednisolone. 31 cases with lesions at trunks and extremities were treated by excision of lesions. All the patients were followed up for 2.8 years (range, 6.5 months -7.3 years). Therapeutic outcomes were assessed by evaluating platelet counts,size of lesion, function of trunk and limb.

RESULTS58 cases were cured except for one dead case. Emergency operation was given in 4 cases, and selective operation was performed in other cases (55 cases). The thrombocyte count, hemoglobin and blood coagulation function returned to normal within 1-2 weeks. The mental condition, appetite, body weight,sleeping were greatly improved one week after treatment. The size of the lesions decreased gradually after the management of ligation of external carotid artery including 18 cases within 6-12 months and 10 cases within 13-24 months. Long term follow-up studies indicated that there was no recurrent case, and the weight, height, immunity of the patients with good function activities were in keeping with the normal counterparts.

CONCLUSIONSThe drug combined with surgery therapy is a very reliable management with high curative rate, short disease period and minimum side-effect.