Hemangioma of the extremity is a painful soft tissue tumor. Many treatment modalities (surgical excision, sclerotherapy, radiation, etc) have been used, but results have rarely been reported. This study addressed the efficacy of surgical excision on hemangioma of the extremities.

Eighty cases were analysed, all diagnosed as hemangioma between January 1994 and September 2001, and were followed up for at least 1 year. The male to female ratio was 31: 49, and the mean age 22.1 years. Sixty-one of the cases received surgical treatment, nine cases sclerotherapy, and the other ten cases received both.

The main complaint of 54 of the 71 people who received surgery, was pain. After surgery, 49 were completely relieved of pain, and the reminder showed more than 50% pain relief. The mean size of the mass was 6x4 cm, and in 49 cases, it was larger than 5 cm. Hemangioma recurred in 4 patients (5.6%), 3 of the 4 received sclerotherapy and surgical treatment, only one received excision. Complications requiring surgical treatment occurred in only 2 patients (2%). The most common type was cavernous hemangioma which occurred in 51 cases (71.8%). Nineteen patients who received sclerotherapy showed reduced pain to about 50% average. Retreatment was required after a 1.5 years interval.

Surgical excision is a reliable treatment for pain relief and for removing symptomatic hemangioma.