Background: Infantile haemangioma is a common benign tumour of infancy. Ulceration is the most common complication and is often painful and difficult to treat. Propranolol therapy is widely used to induce involution in rapidly growing or ulcerated lesions, or those in anatomically awkward locations. The ideal dressing regimen for these lesions would provide effective analgesia, act as a wound dressing, and aid involution of the primary lesion. To date, no ideal regimen has been established. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used in adult and paediatric populations to help improve wound healing in a variety of settings. It may provide a useful alternative to traditional dressing regimens in ulcerated infantile haemangioma.
Methods: Six consecutive patients with ulcerating infantile haemangioma presenting to the Royal Children's Hospital vascular anomalies clinic were included in the study. Each patient was treated with a combination of NPWT and propranolol. Outcomes including time to wound healing, perceived ease of dressing management, and analgesia were recorded.
Results: Complete wound healing was obtained in all cases. Patient outcomes in terms of analgesia, comfort, and ease of wound dressing were improved following application of NPWT.
Discussion/conclusions: We propose that this regimen represents a novel therapy for management of ulcerated infantile haemangioma. Possible mechanisms for healing effect, and improved analgesia are discussed. Further investigation is required to determine if negative pressure wound therapy results in faster healing times compared to traditional dressing regimens.