Comparison of three techniques of surgical treatment of carotid body tumors

Abstract Objectives Carotid body tumors (CBT) are benign but challenging. This study compared of outcome three techniques of the surgical treatment of CBTs. Study Design This retrospective observational study was conducted from April 2013 to March 2019. The 38 patients, including 1 with bilateral tumors and another with adrenal gland pheochromocytoma enrolled in the study had primary tumors. We collected data on age, sex, size of tumor, Shamblin classification, treatment, blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, complications, and recurrence. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20. Results Twenty-four patients were male and twelve were female, and they ranged in age from 11 to 71 years. All cases were assigned to Shamblin groups I (n = 6), II (n = 19), and III (n = 14). Tumor size ranged from 2.0 × 2.0 cm to 5.0 × 6.0 cm. 11 tumors underwent blunt dissection (BD) of the CBTs, 20 underwent BD plus resection of external carotid artery division plus vessels of encapsulation with allograft dermal matrix (BD + RECA + VE) and eight tumors underwent surgical resection of tumors plus common carotid artery–internal carotid artery artificial vascular reconstruction (SR+C-IAVR). No perioperative mortality or stroke occurred. There was significant difference between the Shamblin groups I, II, and III in terms of size of tumor, types of the treatment, blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, and complications. Six patients had mandibular branch facial nerve transient paresis; seven patients had hypoglossal nerve dysfunction; three patients with Horner\u0027s syndrome were found; dysphasia occurs in two patients. The patients were followed for 16 to 45months and one recurrence was observed. Conclusion Three surgical techniques including BD, BD + RECA + VE and SR+C-IAVR) are safety and feasible for the treatment of CBTs according the Shamblin classifications.