LAUSR

BACKGROUND Carotid blowout syndrome is a severe complication of head and neck cancer, associated with high mortality and morbidity. METHODS We present a case of acute hemorrhage from the carotid artery of a 59-year-old man with a history of chemo-radiotherapy for lingual base and oropharyngeal squamous cells carcinoma. The case was managed by a staged multidisciplinary approach of open arterial reconstruction, after initial endovascular hemorrhage control using stent-graft. RESULTS The patient was discharged to home with patent carotid artery, no sign of infection or bleeding and autonomous ambulation. A CT/PET scan performed 6 months later confirmed healing and absence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS A multi-disciplinary approach involving vascular surgeons, ENT surgeons, plastic and maxillofacial surgeons is particularly appropriate in the management of carotid blowout syndrome in order to warrant a durable and effective repair of all the anatomical structures involved.