Common carotid artery ligation at the proximal side before rupture in patients with ligation or occlusion of the external carotid artery at risk of carotid blowout syndrome

Abstract

Background: Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is among the fatal complications in head and neck cancer treatment. However, the optimal treatment for CBS has not been established yet. This study aimed to describe our experience with two patients at high risk of CBS who underwent common carotid artery (CCA) ligation at the proximal side of the bleeding point under local anesthesia and before CCA rupture, and to review and compare the medical records of these two patients against 10 CBS cases treated in our department.

Methods: The institutional electronic medical record was searched, and clinical information was extracted for all patients who showed CBS from 2007 to 2017. Our treatment method was performed as follows. Ligation of the proximal side of the CCA was performed under local anesthesia. The CCA was identified and clamped with two bulldog forceps for 10 minutes to check for any adverse neurological symptoms. Subsequently, the CCA was ligated using 2-0 silk threads and sutured with an absorbable suture between the silk threads. However, ligation or occlusion of the external carotid artery by previous treatment is a prerequisite for this method.

Results: Eight patients received interventions, with six patients undergoing prophylactic interventions before rupture. Four patients who did not undergo treatment died owing to CBS. Two patients who underwent treatment with the novel method did not experience re-bleeding, but their conditions deteriorated owing to cancer progression.

Conclusion: The present method is one of the treatment choices for CBS, especially in patients with an 'impending' risk of CBS.

Keywords: carotid blowout syndrome; common carotid artery; head neck cancer; ligation.