Purpose: To study the mechanism and therapeutic effect of killing hemangiomas by direct electric-current through inserted platinum electrodes into hemangioma mass.

Methods: Under the guidance of ultrasonography or CT scan, platinum needles were inserted into hemangioma mass: (1) During manipulation and treatment, bleeding should be avoided. Needle electrodes could not be inserted directly into hemangioma hot to the healthy tissues close to hemangioma first; (2) Needle electrodes were restricted to have the nerve stem and large vessel. The numbers of electrodes used depended on the size of the tumor According to experience, each needle was able to kill an area about 1.5-2.2cm. 6-8V voltage and 40-80mA electric current were required. The electric quantity was determined for 30-50 coulomb (C) Per 1.0cm diameter of hemangioma..

Results: Of the 885 cases, 784 (86.6%) cases were cured (hemangioma disappeared completely; the focal appearance and limb functions restored to normal conditions); 75% (8.7%) cases were effectively treated (hemangioma reduced by over 1/2 in size, focal appearance and limb functions were improved); 26 (2.9%) cases did not respond to the treatment effectively (hemangioma reduced by under 1/3 in size, focal appearance and limb functions were not improved). The total effective rate was 97.1%.

Conclusion: The experiment has proved that the mechanism of electro-acupuncture in treatment of hemangioma involves the electrolysis of the direct electric-current, which causes chemical reactions and softens the tissues: strong acid (PHI-2) around anode and alkaline (PH12-14) around cathode. They may damage the tissues of hemangioma directly to form thrombus quickly and stop blood flow. So hemangioma could be coagulated and absorbed after 4-6 months. Clinical experience has shown that cavernous hemangioma is a chief indication of electro-acupuncture treatment. Resection usually failed due to uncontrolled bleeding during operation even by applying the methods of cryotherapy or injection of scerosing agents. Electro-acupuncture will not affect the appearance and limb functions. It is a good therapy to treat hemangioma. ECT can boat small lesions of capillary and racemosis hemangioma hot not for giant lesions.

　　By Xin Yuling Zhang Wei, Liu Deruo, Li Futian Guo Yongqing, Shi Bin, Tian Yanchu
　　Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chinese-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China