Outcome of surgical treatment for carotid body tumors in different Shambling type without preoperative embolization: A single-center retrospective study.

Abstract Background Carotid body tumor (CBT) is the most common head and neck paragangliomas. Surgical resection is the golden standard management for CBT. While preoperative embolization is still controversial, long-term outcomes and perioperative results are still deficient. We here presented the outcomes of surgical treatment for CBT without preoperative embolization in our institution. Methods In this retrospective study, we collected data of 101 patients who received surgical treatment for carotid body tumors without preoperative embolization from 2011 to 2016. In addition, we attempted to conduct 2 years of follow-up under the guidance of both neurologist and vascular surgeon. Patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, complications, and follow-up results were all analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results Complete resection of the CBT was achieved in 101 cases (100%). Post-operative adverse events (AEs) mostly observed during hospitalization were as follows: tongue bias (I: 4, 36.4%; II: 8, 19.5%; III: 13, 26.5%), hoarseness (I: 1, 9.1%; II: 4, 9.8%; III: 7, 14.3%), dysphagia (I: 0; II: 2, 4.9%; III: 7, 14.3%) and (I: 0; II: 0; III: 1, 2.0%). No other serious AEs were observed. The total incidence of AEs in type I patients was 5 (45.5%), 14 (34.1%) in type II, and 28 (57.1%) in type III, and type III group is significantly higher than the other two groups. At the end of 2 years of follow-up, there was no AEs in type I patients. The number of patients with adverse events in type III was greater than that in type II., although there was no significant difference. Based on our findings, three most commonly injured cranial nerves after surgical resection of CBT were CN XII (hypoglossal nerve, 21.9%), CN X (vagus nerve, 20.3%), and recurrent laryngeal nerve (18.8%). Conclusion Surgical management without preoperative embolization for CBT patients is a safe and effective therapeutic approach.