Port wine stain - dermatologist or plastic surgeon

[drakes]

Hello,

Do you know if a port wine stain is better treated by a dermatologist or by a plastic surgeon?

Thanks.


Aaron,
Toronto.

[zuzuspetals]

Hi!
Well, I'm no expert. Just a mom to a little 18 month old girl with a PWS on her face. However, my understanding is that a PWS is typically treated by a dermatologist. If the PWS causes hypertrophy, or if there are other underlying conditions that require surgery, then a surgeon might come into play. Otherwise, the PWS itself is usually treated by a dermatologist.
This is how I understand it.
Congratulations on your new little one! 4 months old is a a great age...but aren't they all?

[drakes]

thanks for the information.

he is actually 4 weeks, but yes, they are...

is your daughter receiving treatment for her PWS?

[nickbar]

Typically a dermatologist will evaluate/treat a patient with PWS...However, I believe it is important to know the experience level of the specialist primarily. So, in your area the surgeon might have more experience with pws then the derm. It just depends on how often they see cases/etc.

Corinne

[hankbartenbach]

Hello,

I have had both on my PWS.

Really the laser treatment treates the PWS to remove it and maintance,
Where the plastic surgery is to remove the over growth if the PWS gets out of control or in my case just grew from the hormones.

They really are not compairable because if your PWS is still flat laser treatment is still the only way you can treat it or remove it as far as I know.

Dr. Waner was the only plastic surgeon that was even willing to touch me with a knife because of my bleeding problem.

If you want to see before and after pictures of both my laser treatment and plastic surgeries my website is hankspws.com

Hope this help

Hank

[Melaina'sMommy]

I say someone who specializes in treating pws only!!

[tess]

I would encourage you to interview several doctors, so that you can find out the different approaches and treatment philosophies they each have. No two doctors are the same, of course, and you may find one with whom you feel more comfortable and confident.

We interviewed a local dermatologist who could provide laser treatments but found out that treating children with PWS was not her specialty (or even something she did that frequently). We decided we would feel much more comfortable with a doctor who had greater day-to-day experience in treating pediatric PWS. We now have to travel a little bit greater distance to a different dermatologist, but we feel much more confident that he is the right match for our daughter's needs.

Sometimes it may seem that doctors are in positions of great authority and we must go along with whatever they say, but don't forget that as parents we are equal members of the health care team for our children. Our kids depend on us to be their advocates and find the best care for them.

I'm sure you'll be able to find an appropriate doctor, whether dermatologist or plastic surgeon, that you feel good about. Good luck, and blessings to your family during this process!

[erih]

I asked one of the doctors either from this site or from birthmark.com (I forget which) & he said that it doesn't matter ask long as the Doctor has experience. (I can double check my email if you'd like more specifics, ie who the doc was.)

Hope this helps!
~Eri