Emergency management of carotid artery rupture

Rupture of the carotid artery has been one of the most feared postoperative complications in head and neck cancer patients. Traditional management of carotid artery rupture has been disappointing, and morbidity and mortality have been high. Experience with carotid artery rupture at the authors' institution over the past 20 years has been reviewed. The current method of management seems to result in a decreased number of neurologic sequelae and episodes of rebleeding. Of the last 23 carotid ruptures encountered, four occurred while the patient was at home. Two patients had neurologic complications, and there were two deaths. Only one episode of rebleeding occurred. All patients except one were discharged from the hospital. These patients were managed according to an established protocol, and the results of the authors' experience are reported and analyzed. Preoperative preparation prior to ligation is explained, and prognostic indicators and risk factors are reviewed.