OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features of vascular malformations complicated with airway obstruction and to evaluate the therapeutic methods of these disease.

METHODSForty-seven children with airway obstruction and dyspnea (25 males, 22 females) were treated from Jun 1985 to Dec 2007, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Among 47 patients, there were 27 cases of venous malformations, 17 cases of macrocystic lymphatic malformations, and 3 cases of microcystic lymphatic malformations. Injection with absolute alcohol were performed in 20 patients with venous malformations, whereas both surgery and injection were performed in 7 patients with extensive or multiple lesions. Seventeen patients with macrocystic lymphatic malformations were treated with pingyangmycin injection. While surgery combined with pingyangmycin injection were used in other 3 patients with microcystic lymphatic malformations. According to the degree of airway obstruction and therapeutic conditions, tracheal intubation was performed in 27 patients, urgent preoperative tracheotomy was performed in 3 patients, prophylactic tracheotomy was performed in 2 patients, and postoperative tracheotomy was performed in 1 patient.

RESULTSTracheal intubation was remained for 24 to 48 hours in 30 patients, whose intubation was removed successfully in 29 patients except 1 patient who occurred dyspnea after removal of tracheal intubation resulting in tracheotomy. Tracheal cannula was successfully removed in all 6 patients 3 weeks to 4 months after the tracheotomy. There were 9 patients treated once, whereas injections were repeated 2 to 5 times in 38 patients. Necrosis of mucosa occurred in 2 cases after the injection with absolute alcohol, while temporary hemoglobinuria one occurred in 1. There were 5 cases of light or mediate fever after the pingyangmycin injection who recovered well after the symptomatic treatment. Follow-up lasted 1 to 23 years, 38 patients cured, 9 patients valid, and no patient invalid.

CONCLUSIONSIt is suggested that sclerotherapy should be the first choice in the treatment of vascular malformations complicated with airway obstruction, in which absolute alcohol should be used in venous malformations compared to pingyangmycin in lymphatic malformations. Combined therapy should be carried out in patients with extensive lesions in order to shorten the course of treatment and to get good therapeutic result.