[Surgery of the carotid body tumors]

Carotid body tumor is a rare tumor of obscure origin, usually benign, and commonly present as a non-painful cervical mass. Resection is the treatment of choice. When the tumor is very adherent to the carotid artery, it may be necessary to also resect the artery and to reconstruct the arterial continuity using a saphenous or synthetic interposition graft. The most common complication of surgery is damage to the cranial nerves in the vicinity of the artery. We present 8 patients with carotid body tumor who underwent surgery in our department in 1996-1999. Two had a large tumor penetrating the intima which mandated resection of the involved carotid artery and a saphenous interposition graft reconstruction. Our experience with resection of carotid body tumors is detailed, with emphasis on precautions taken to prevent damage to the adjacent cranial nerves.