[Vascular reconstruction of the carotid artery--studies of a one stage ipsilateral reconstructive procedure]

Recent advance in vascular surgery have made vascular reconstruction of the carotid artery possible. Since 1990, the authors have performed en bloc resection of the carotid artery and vascular reconstruction of the carotid artery, using a temporary shunt tube, in 10 cases. Among these 10 cases of tumors involving the carotid artery, two cases had carotid body tumors and the other eight cases had metastatic lymph nodes from head and neck cancers. Transient motor paralysis occurred in three cases and disorientation in one after the operation. None has developed severe neurological complications such as death, coma or permanent hemiplegia. Despite preoperative irradiation, local infection was noted in only one case after the operation. Rupture of the vein graft was prevented by using a DP flap to cover dead space at the anastomotic site. The two patients with a carotid body tumor are alive without evidence of recurrence. Among eight patients with cancer, three are still alive and disease free (respectively 44, 30 and 16 months). Two patients died of local recurrence, two of distant metastasis and the other of acute heart failure. Local tumor control was possible in six out of eight patients. We were able to safely perform en bloc resection of the carotid artery and vascular reconstruction of the carotid artery using a temporary shunt tube. In conclusion, we anticipate increasing curability of advanced tumors involving the carotid artery using this procedure.