Classification of congenital vascular defects.

Regardless of the existence of a large number of classifications, we consider that there are no grounds for ignoring the classical examples. On the basis of data to be found in literature, as well as from the analysis of 766 patients with vascular malformations which we studied in the course of 28 years and from the discussions during the 7th Meeting of the International Workshop on Vascular Malformations in Hamburg in 1988, we proposed a classification of congenital vascular defects according to their species and anatomopathological forms. The experience of practical and scientific collaboration with colleagues in six countries showed the practical value of this classification. It makes possible the formulation of a clear and precise clinicoanatomical diagnosis, facilitates the choice of surgical tactics and operative techniques and makes possible the scientific studies of the problem.