Submandibular approach and use of Ligasure(®) system in a complex carotid paraganglioma

Carotid paragangliomas are rare tumors of slow growth, progressive, and highly vascularized; surgery is the chosen treatment, and most surgeons perform an approach with a longitudinal cervicotomy. OBJECTIVE: We present a case of carotid paraganglioma Shamblin III with skull base extension. METHODS: Submandibular approach and vascular sealing device of the Ligasure(®) system were used in the surgery. RESULTS: We achieved complete resection using these adjunctive techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The use of these adjunctive techniques can be useful to manage large carotid body tumors.