Carotid Artery Surgery in the Treatment of Tumors of the Neck

The application of the principles of vascular surgery to the carotid arteries has made considerable progress in the past five years. This progress consists of an understanding of the indications and use of carotid artery surgery, and the development of techniques to implement these needs. The indications for vascular surgery in the neck are rare, yet the urgency with which the technique may be required may involve the patient's life. This gravity is not only associated with the successful extirpation of a tumor but also with the interference of circulation to the brain in the ligation or excision of the common or internal carotid arteries. The problem of carotid artery surgery, therefore, embraces the situations requiring ligation or excision of the common and internal carotid arteries and the effect on the brain. It is also concerned with the identification of those situations requiring vascular anastomosis and the circumstances under which