A case of false aneurysm after surgical treatment of lingual carcinoma

Abstract

A 69-year-old woman who had lingual carcinoma (T3N1M0, Stage III), was admitted to our clinic. She was treated with radiotherapy consisting of 50.4 Gy and with chemotherapy, Two months later, a left hemiglossectomy and left radical and right functional neck dissection were performed. The defect in the oral cavity was reconstructed primarily with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous island flap, and simultaneously the left carotid artery was covered with the pedicle of the flap. After the operation, there was minor necrosis of the reconstructed lingual flap, and two months later, due to much bleeding from the carotid artery, an emergency operation was performed. Bleeding occured due to the rupture of a false aneurysm originating from the left common carotid artery. The false aneurysm was resected and a 6 mm Gore Tex graft was interposed between the internal and common carotid arteries. She died due to the recurrence of cervical metastasis and cerebral infarction.