Complications associated with carotid body tumor excision.

Background This study aims to evaluate associated complications of carotid tumor excisions and outcomes. Methods Between January 2013 and April 2016, a total of 29 patients (2 males, 27 females; mean age 55.2±4.4 years; range, 17 to 76 years) were operated with the preliminary diagnosis of a carotid body tumor. According to the Shamblin classification of carotid body tumors, 12 patients were type 1, 13 patients were type 2, and four patients were type 3. Results Main symptoms were dizziness, pain in the neck area, tinnitus, and headache. Headache was the most common symptom among them. Neurological and surgical complications developed in 10 patients (34.4%). Of operated patients, dysphagia developed in three (8.7%), facial hemiparesis in two (6.8%), hemorrhage in two (6.8%), hematoma-related respiratory distress in one (3.4%), left hemiparesis in one (3.4%), and transient bradycardia in one (3.4%). The patient who had respiratory distress associated with bleeding following extubation was reoperated. In the patients with facial and left hemiparesis, paresis was transient. Dysphagia also resolved in the subsequent follow-up outpatient visits. None of the patients experienced a permanent complication. Conclusion Surgical excision is the most appropriate choice of treatment in carotid body tumors, and postoperative complications can be minimized through careful dissections and retractions. A special attention should be paid to nerve-preserving surgery.

[1]  T. Zelinka,et al.  Long-Term Effect of Adrenalectomy on Cardiovascular Remodeling in Patients With Pheochromocytoma , 2016, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.

[2]  J. López-Barneo,et al.  Oxygen sensing by the carotid body: mechanisms and role in adaptation to hypoxia. , 2016, American journal of physiology. Cell physiology.

[3]  C. Metheetrairut,et al.  Carotid body tumor: a 25-year experience , 2016, European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology.

[4]  R. Serra,et al.  Surgical complications of carotid body tumors surgery: a review. , 2015, International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology.

[5]  C. Nurse Synaptic and paracrine mechanisms at carotid body arterial chemoreceptors , 2014, The Journal of physiology.

[6]  M. Aksun,et al.  Diagnosis and management of carotid body tumor: a report of seven cases , 2013 .

[7]  W. Young,et al.  Impact of preoperative embolization on outcomes of carotid body tumor resections. , 2012, Journal of vascular surgery.

[8]  T. Ji,et al.  A retrospective study in management of carotid body tumour. , 2009, The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery.

[9]  Sue Hamann,et al.  Carotid body tumor excisions: adverse outcomes of adding carotid endarterectomy. , 2004, Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

[10]  D. Myssiorek,et al.  Head and neck paragangliomas: an overview. , 2001 .

[11]  A. Mansfield,et al.  Carotid body tumours and other cervical paragangliomas: Diagnosis and management in 25 patients , 1989, The British journal of surgery.

[12]  S. Sheps,et al.  Carotid body tumor (chemodectoma). Clinicopathologic analysis of ninety cases. , 1971, American journal of surgery.