Treatment of the ruptured or exposed carotid artery: a rational approach

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · South. Med. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-198503000-00008· OSTI ID:5663601

Coleman, J J

Review of 15 cases of carotid artery exposure or rupture in patients with no recurrent tumor demonstrated several important principles. Irradiation was a risk factor in 90% of cases of carotid blowout. Only one of five patients (20%) with carotid exposure who had not had irradiation had carotid perforation. Immediate death occurred in two of 15 (13%), and delayed death in five of 15 (33%). The neck wound was successfully controlled in 11 of 15 cases, requiring extracervical vascularized muscle or skin in eight of the 11 cases. Only one of seven pectoralis major flaps failed to control infection in the neck. This review reaffirms the importance of irradiation and orocutaneous fistula as risk factors. A rationale for prophylaxis, treatment of carotid exposure, and treatment of carotid rupture is presented.

• Research Organization: Emory Univ. School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• OSTI ID: 5663601
• Journal Information: South. Med. J.; (United States), Journal Name: South. Med. J.; (United States) Vol. 78:3; ISSN SMJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ARTERIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CAROTID ARTERIES
DISEASES
HEMORRHAGE
INJURIES
IRRADIATION
MUSCLES
NECK
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SKIN
SYMPTOMS
VASCULAR DISEASES