Intraoperative Carotid Sinus Hypersensitivity and Postoperative Complication of Radical Neck Dissection Retrospective Study

Kim, Tae Il; Lim, Hae Ja; Chang, Seong Ho; Kim, Nan Sook

Abstract

BACKGOUND: Postoperative complications in the geriatric patients undergoing radical neck dissection are generally considered to be more severe than young patients. The incidence of carotid sinus hypersensitivity in elderly patients is also considered to be higher than the young. The comparison between old (above 65 years) and young (below 65 years) aged groups about intraoperative carotid sinus hypersensitivity and postoperative complication is necessary for safe anesthesia.
METHODS
Sixty five adult patients, of either sex, regardless of age, given radical neck dissection from January 1990 to January 1998, were investigated for the incidence of intraoperative carotid sinus hypersensitivity and postoperative hypertension by way of retrospective chart review. The authors also examined the postoperative complications such as high fever, pulmonary, cardiac and renal complications, cerebrovascular diseases and neurologic injuries.
RESULTS
The incidence of intraoperative carotid sinus hypersensitivity were 28% in elderly patients (n=25), 10% in young patients (n=40) but there was no statistical significance. The incidence of postoperative hypertension were 79.1% in patients with hypertension history, 34.1% in patients without hypertension history and there was statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.001). The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complication were 44% in elderly patients, 20% in young patients, and there was also statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.038). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of postoperative high fever above 38.5degrees C between the two groups (p=0.059).
CONCLUSION
After the radical neck dissection, the geriatric patients had a greater incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications than young patients and the most relating factor to postoperative hypertension was previous history of hypertension. Therefore optimal preoperative preparations for the hypertensive patients and the prevention and immediate treatment of the postoperative pulmonary complications in geriatric patients are very important during the radical neck dissection.