Question

What are the complications involved in CBT surgery?

Hint:

Close monitoring and careful surgical technique are essential to minimize the risk of complications, particularly vascular injury and nerve damage.

Answer 1

Step 1: Vascular Complications:
One of the most significant risks of CBT surgery is injury to the carotid artery. This can result in severe bleeding or the need for carotid artery repair. There is also a risk of thromboembolism due to dislodgement of clots during surgery, which can lead to stroke.
Step 2: Nerve Injury:
Since the CBT is located near several cranial nerves (vagus, glossopharyngeal, hypoglossal), there is a risk of nerve damage during surgery. This may result in hoarseness (due to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury), difficulty swallowing (due to glossopharyngeal nerve damage), or tongue weakness (due to hypoglossal nerve injury).
Step 3: Bleeding:
Intraoperative bleeding is another significant risk, particularly because of the tumour’s vascular nature. The surgeon must be cautious to control bleeding from the carotid artery and surrounding vessels during resection.
Step 4: Infection:
Infections are a possible complication, particularly after major surgeries involving the neck and carotid artery. Postoperative care includes monitoring for signs of infection such as fever or redness at the incision site.