eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Skin

Vascular, Capillary Malformations: Follow-up

Author: Ashok Tholpady, MS, University of Virginia School of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Thomas J Gampper, MD, Vice Chair, Department of Surgery, Director of Aesthetic and Laser Surgery, Associate Professor, Departments of Plastic Surgery and Clinical Neurosurgery, University of Virginia
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 27, 2009

Future and Controversies

Classification of vascular malformations remains controversial. Findings by Breugem et al suggest that the pathologic abnormalities of capillary malformations appear to be located in postcapillary venules rather than the capillaries themselves.14 Thus, port-wine stains may need to be redefined from their original classification under capillary malformations.

Future advancements in the treatment of capillary malformations include improved selective laser ablation and gene therapy. However, gene therapy remains experimental, with target cells still being evaluated.

 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Emmanuella Joseph, MD, and William O Murtagh, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Vascular, Capillary Malformations

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Follow-up: Vascular, Capillary Malformations
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References

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Further Reading

Keywords

capillary malformation, capillary malformations, telangiectatic  nevi, low-flow vascular malformation, birthmark, birth mark, hyperkeratotic cutaneous capillary-venous malformation, Parkes-Weber vascular lesion, capillary anomaly, low-flow vascular anomaly, Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, Sturge-Weber syndrome, port-wine stain

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Ashok Tholpady, MS, University of Virginia School of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Thomas J Gampper, MD, Vice Chair, Department of Surgery, Director of Aesthetic and Laser Surgery, Associate Professor, Departments of Plastic Surgery and Clinical Neurosurgery, University of Virginia
Thomas J Gampper, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association of Academic Chairmen of Plastic Surgery, and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Shahin Javaheri, MD, Chief, Department of Plastic Surgery, Martinez Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic; Consulting Staff, Advanced Aesthetic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Shahin Javaheri, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Wayne Stadelmann, MD, Stadelmann Plastic Surgery, PC
Wayne Stadelmann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, New Hampshire Medical Society, Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Residency Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Director, Center for Advanced Surgical Aesthetics
Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, and Medical Association of the State of Alabama
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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