SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CAROTID BODY TUMORS: A SINGLE-CENTER RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Almas Saduakas, Alisher Kozhamkul, M.A. Zhakubayev, A. Matkerimov, R.O. Makkamov, Aman Berkinbay, А С Шамшиев

2026

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DOI 10.52532/2521-6414-2026-1-706
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Relevance: Carotid body tumors are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms accounting for less than 0.5% of all head and neck (H&N) tumors and approximately 60-70% of H&N paragangliomas. Although predominantly benign, their surgical treatment remains challenging and is associated with significant complications, including intraoperative bleeding and cranial nerve damage.The study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics, surgical management, and postoperative outcomes of patients with carotid body tumors using a single-center retrospective study in Kazakhstan.Materials and Methods: A single-center retrospective study included 13 patients treated for carotid body tumors between 2019 and 2024 at A.N. Syzganov National Scientific Center of Surgery (Almaty). All patients underwent open tumor resection after endovascular embolization of feeding vessels. Associations were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and statistical significance was assessed at p < 0.05.Results: The mean patient age was 52.4 ± 13.9 years, with 53.8% of women. Left-sided tumors were more frequent (61.5%). Tumors were Shamblin type I in 15.4%, type II in 38.5%, and type III in 46.1% of cases. The mean duration of surgery was 138 ± 79 minutes. Postoperative complications (30.8%) included cranial nerve injury (23.1%), ischemic stroke (7.7%), and lymphorrhea (7.7%). No perioperative mortality or tumor recurrence was detected during a mean follow-up of 3.8 ± 1.6 months. Shamblin III tumors were associated with a higher risk of complications (OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 0.44-81.4; p = 0.18). A surgery lasting more than 150 minutes was also associated with higher complication rates (OR = 10.5; 95% CI: 0.63-173.6; p = 0.09).Conclusion: Surgical treatment of carotid body tumors in specialized vascular centers is an effective therapeutic approach. Shamblin II-III tumors are associated with increased surgical complexity and a higher risk of postoperative complications, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention.