Efficacy of microscope-assisted bipolar electrocautery for carotid body tumors

GUO Zhijian; GUO Yanwei; YANG Caixin; GUO Tengyun; XIE Zongzhi; ZHANG Hailin; SUN Shouyuan

doi:10.13798/j.issn.1009-153X.2025.12.002

Abstract：Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of microscope-assisted bipolar electrocautery for carotid body tumors(CBT).Methods The clinical data of 60 patients with CBT who underwent microscope-assisted bipolar electro-cautery in the Department of Neurosurgery,The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from October 2018 to February 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the 60 cases,29 were classified as Shamblin type Ⅰ,20 as typeⅡ,and 11 as type Ⅲ.All tumors were completely resected under the microscope,with no postoperative stroke or mortality.The operative time ranged from 50 to 240 minutes(mean 115.33±44.55 min),intraoperative blood loss ranged from 13 to 300 mL(mean 73.08±60.40 mL),and postoperative hospital stay ranged from 3 to 11 days(mean 5.85±1.78 d).The intraoperative vascular li-gation rate was 6.67%,and the cranial nerve injury rate was 8.33%.During postoperative follow-up of 3 to 76 months,no severe complications such as hemiplegia or cerebral infarction occurred.Postoperative hoarseness occurred in 4 cases,2 of which were accompanied by choking on drinking.These patients were treated with hormones and neurotrophic drugs for 1～6 months,and their symptoms improved.At the last follow-up,no tumor recurrence was observed.Conclusion For CBT,microscope-assisted bipolar electrocautery is a safe and effective surgical approach.This technique offers significant advantages in precise anatomical dissection and hemostasis,maximally preserving the carotid artery and surrounding neural structures.It is particularly suitable for patients with Shamblin type Ⅲ tumors,allowing safe and accurate surgery,effectively reducing intraoperative bleeding,and optimally protecting adjacent vascular and neural tissues.