Excision of Head and Neck Tumors Combined with Carotid Artery Resection without Arterial Blood Vessel Reconstruction

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To summarize our clinical experience in treating 31 patients with neck masses undergoing carotid artery resection without arterial anastomosis (vascular reconstruction) in Tianjin Cancer Hospital during a period from 1979 to 2002. METHODS Preoperatively, patients were instructed to apply pressure to the carotid artery. Tumor excision combined with carotid artery resection (TECCAR) was conducted after an accurate testing of valid cerebral blood supply and compensation. RESULTS Among the study patients, 17 were male and 14 female, with the age ranging from 14 to 58 years. Of the 31 cases, 23 were carotid body tumors (8 malignant), 2 vagal body tumors (1 malignant), 4 carotid aneurysms, and 2 were metastatic tumors from the cervix involving carotid artery. Of the patients, a subtotal resection of the head and neck masses was conducted in 22 cases. Intraoperative death did not occur, and postoperative CNS or cerebrovascular complications (CVC) were not found. CONCLUSION TECCAR without arterial anastomosis is a safe and feasible procedure. In addition, this method of surgery has more advantages in comparison to an arterial anastomosis: i ) Tumor resection was more complete. ii ) Complications such as thrombus, infection, and lethal hemorrhage etc., were rare after surgery; iii ) Postoperative radiotherapy, if needed, would be safe and acceptable; iv ) It was a more simplified operational procedure.

Keywords

• tumor
• carotid artery resection
• without arterial blood-vessel reconstruction.