Surgical treatment of carotid body tumour and postoperative complications / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the experience in the diagnosis, treatment, complications and follow up of carotid body tumor. Methods All the 25 cases were diagnosised by DSA and CTA. The tumor was resected under carotid adventitial plane in 18 cases, with external carotid artery resection in 4cases, and in 3 cases, internal carotid artery (ICA) and external carotid artery (ECA) were resected simultaneously in which internal carotid artery was reconstructed in two cases including using self vein bypass in one and anastomosis between ICA and ECA in the other. ICA was ligated in the third case. Results No cases died perioperatively. ALL CBTs were treated successfully. Horner syndrome and trachyphonia were relieved after operation. Postoperative trachyphonia, bucking and lingual paralysis developed in 3 cases, and in one case with vagus resection caused dyspnea tracheotomy was performed. The rate of nerves injuries was 12% but no semiplegia and aphasia occurred. Follow up period was from 4 to 90 months (average 44 ±6 months) for 21 cases. The trachyphonia and bucking were improved during follow up but the lingual paralysis persists, and tumor recurred in two cases with one dying. Conclusions CBT treatment should include active surgery, sufficient preoperative preparation and avoiding the postoperative nervous complications.