To evaluate outcomes and postoperative complications following surgical resection of lymphatic malformations (LMs) at a single multidisciplinary vascular anomalies center. A single-center retrospective review of all patients ≤21 years old who underwent surgical resection of a lymphatic malformation at a quaternary referral center with a multidisciplinary vascular anomalies team from 2004 to 2024. Data pertaining to postoperative outcomes and treatments was abstracted. A total of 109 surgical procedures were included and examined. The most common 30-day postoperative complications included: seroma (18.3%), superficial surgical site infection (18.3%), and wound dehiscence (12.8%), with lower rates of nerve palsy/injury (5.5%), lymphedema (2.8%), hematomas (3.7%), and abscesses (4.6%). An interventional radiology procedure within 30-days postoperatively was required for management of seroma in 8 patients (7.3%), while 7 (6.4%) patients required reoperation. Among patients who underwent attempted complete resection, recurrence of the LM was documented in 32.0% (16/50). Subjective quality of life improvement was noted in 69.7%. There was no difference in incidence of postoperative complications reported in patients who underwent preoperative sclerotherapy vs those that did not (p=0.980). Seroma and surgical site infection were the most reported short-term postoperative complications followed by wound dehiscence with low rates of other complications in surgical resection of LMs. Few patients required postoperative procedural intervention. Despite a relatively high rate of short-term complications, patients reported high satisfaction and symptom improvement following LM resection, which underscores the important role for surgical management of LMs in select patients. III. Cohort study.
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