Surgical Treatment Outcomes of Head and Neck Lymphatic Malformations in Patients With a Variety of Ages and Unusual Sites.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to review the clinical characteristics and surgical treatment outcomes of head and neck lymphatic malformations and to define the risk factors for recurrence.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital from January 2010 to February 2015.

RESULTS

The unusual sites for a head and neck lymphatic malformation were tonsil, buccal space, nasopharynx, and the vallecula. No recurrence of lymphatic malformations was observed when the lesion was removed completely. Recurrence was more common in patients with the infiltrative type and incomplete excision.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphatic malformations occurred in patients with a variety of ages and unusual sites. Surgical excision could become the treatment of choice if the malformation can be excised completely without serious complications. Recurrence was more common in patients in whom an infiltrative type malformation was incomplete excised.