Tobacco-pouch suture technique for the treatment of vascular lesions of the lip in Enugu, Nigeria

We present the clinical findings and treatment of haemangiomas and arteriovenous malformations only, although many other vascular lesions affect the lip. We used simple clinical findings for our diagnosis and treated our patients by applying the Tabaksbeutelnaht (tobacco-pouch suture) technique to encircle the tumour and strangle it. Subsequently 10% saline (2–3 ml), which acted as a sclerosant, was injected into the tumour. Despite the absence of advanced imaging techniques and limited options for treatment, we achieved total success and good cosmetic results in 13 patients. This may be an effective therapeutic alternative to expensive methods used in developed countries and may be emulated by maxillofacial surgeons in poorer countries.