Surgical treatment of carotid body tumors

Objective To investigate surgical treatment of carotid body tumors (CBT). Methods Fifty-four cases of carotid body tumor were treated by surgery from 1994. There were 39 males and 15 females with a gender ratio of 2.6: 1. The ages ranged from 22 to 53 years averaging at 31 years. All lesions were benign and unilateral. Simple resection of CBT was performed in 12 cases. Resection of CBT with external carotid artery in 5 cases. Resection of CBT with carotid reconstruction in 6 cases ( using great saphenous vein in 4 cases, using vascular graft in 2 cases). Resection of CBT under carotid artery shunt was performed in 32 cases ( including carotid reconstruction in 3 cases). Resection of CBT with breaking mandible was necessary in 2 cases because of too high tumor position. Results Complete resection of CBT without recurrence and metastasis was achieved in all 54 cases. No complication of cerebral ischemia was encountered in all cases. Nerve injury was found in 7 cases ( including injury of sympathetic nerve and superior laryngeal nerve in 2 cases respectively, injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve in 3 cases). Conclusion Carotid shunt is helpful in resection of complicated CBT, carotid reconstruction is required for cases with resection of internal carotid artery. Breaking mandible is helpful in exposing high located tumors. Key words: Carotid body tumor;  Vascular surgical procedures;  Vascular reconstruction