Multidisciplinary approach to hand arteriovenous malformations: treatment strategies and clinical outcomes - insights from a 25-year experience at a single vascular anomalies center

Abstract

ObjectiveHand arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are extremely difficult to manage for their functional importance and cosmetic disfiguration. A single-center retrospective study was conducted to identify long-term outcomes of multidisciplinary team management of hand AVMs. MethodsInstitutional review board approved this retrospective study. Multidisciplinary vascular anomalies center data was reviewed from 1995 to 2023. Patient demographics, Schobinger’s AVM stage, sclerotherapy details, surgical history, and adverse events after sclerotherapy were reviewed. ResultsA total of 150 patients with hand AVMs visited our hospital from 1995 to 2023, with a mean age of 33 years (range, 1-75 years), and 91 were females. Forty-four patients were Schobinger stage II, and 106 were stage III. Sclerotherapy was performed on 101 patients (67%) with 320 sessions. Angiographic devascularization rates after sclerotherapy were: 16 with 100%, 30 with over 90%, 34 with 50% to 90%, 15 with 0% to 50%, and six showed aggravation. Sclerotherapy-related adverse events occurred in 123 of 320 sessions (39%), with 112 minor and 11 major events. Fifteen patients (15%) eventually underwent amputation surgery a mean of 1618 days after sclerotherapy for necrosis (n = 3) and delayed complications (n = 12). Thirteen patients (9%) underwent primary surgical amputation for ulcers or bleeding (all Schobinger stage III). Thirty-six patients (24%) were followed without any procedure. ConclusionsMultidisciplinary management of hand AVMs shows varied long-term outcomes. Although sclerotherapy is effective for many patients, it carries a significant risk of adverse events. The necessity for amputation in some cases highlights the severity of advanced AVMs and the need for individualized treatment approaches.