Extra-Articular Arthroscopic Excision of the Intramuscular Hemangioma in a Lower Extremity Has Better Therapeutic Effect and Higher Satisfaction with Appearance Comparing with Open Excision

Abstract

Intramuscular hemangioma is a rare but challenging cause of pain in the lower extremities. When nonsurgical approaches have a certain possibility of post-procedural recurrence or incomplete success, surgery is a good choice. An open excision forms a long scar but allows for a wider surgical scope. Excision by arthroscopy may be a possible method for the treatment of intramuscular hemangioma with overall better results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic and open excisions for the treatment of intramuscular hemangioma of a lower extremity. Fifty-two patients with intramuscular hemangioma were divided into either the arthroscopic or open excision groups. Each group was compared by operative time, Lysholm score, length of the scar, the numbness of the surgery area, satisfaction of appearance, recurrence, and infection. Compared with the open excision group, the Lysholm scores mean ± standard error between the arthroscopic and open excision groups were 96.2 ± 3.7 to 93.2 ± 4.2 (P < 0 .05), the scar lengths were 0.61 ± 0.17 cm to 10.04 ± 5.31 cm (P < 0.01), numbness scores were 1.08 ± 0.74 to 2.19 ± 1.02 (P < 0.01), and satisfaction with appearance scores were 8.42 ± 1.27 to 5.27 ± 1.48 (P < 0.01). The clinical results were comparable between the arthroscopic and open excision groups, suggesting that an arthroscopic excision on the intramuscular hemangioma can achieve better function, a shorter scar, and a higher satisfaction with appearance.