Introduction: The elective treatment of lymphatic malformations has always been surgical resection. However sclerotherapy with a variety of substances is being used as an alternative to surgery specially in the last years. The aim of this essay is to present our results using sclerosis with OK-432.
Materials and methods: We have reviewed all patients affected by lymphatic malformation that have been treated by sclerosis with OK-432. Each procedure was performed under general anesthesia by a radiologist and a pediatric surgeon.
Results: Fifteen patients have been treated. On the whole, 36 procedures have been performed, with a mean of 2.4 for each patient. The mean amount of OK-432 injected was 1.5 milligrams (mg) in each procedure. 73% of the patients showed nearly complete or complete response. There were two complications; one of them was a limited bleeding and the other one, a case of high fever resolved by antipyretics and antibiotics. Microcystic or mixed malformations required a higher number of procedures and presented poorer response.
Conclusion: Sclerotherapy with OK-432 is an effective and safe treatment for lymphatic malformation specially the macrocystic ones, therefore it should be considered as first line therapeutic option.