EFFICIENCY OF EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY LIGATION AS A MEANS TO CONTROL BLEEDING OF NONRESECTABLE MALIGNANT MAXILLOFACIAL TUMORS

Tsentilo V.G.

As proved by clinical observations and histological examinations, the use of a traditional access in cases where delitigation of the external carotid artery is needed in patients with nonresectable malignant maxillofacial tumors may result in surgical implantation of metastases. There are also evidences that this vessel is not efficient enough to control bleeding in tumors located close to the root of the tongue or in distant areas of the mouth floor or the oropharynx. This latter effect can be caused by a failure to apply the ligature in such a way as to include the ascending pharyngeal artery, which is difficult to identify when the traditional access is used. The method to access the external carotid artery proposed by the authors is free from the above- mentioned flaws; this is proved by clinical observations and histological examinations.