Objective To evaluate the efficacy of surgical therapy for carotid body tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted

covering the diagnosis

surgical procedure

postoperative complications

and prognosis of 120 cases of carotid body tumors in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1949 to May

2011. Results Surgical excision was successfully performed in 111 cases with 117 tumors. In all those cases

50 underwent simple tumor resection

42 underwent resection of tumors and ligation of the external carotid arteries

7 underwent co-resection of tumors and common carotid arteries

internal carotid arteries

as well as external arteries without vascular reconstruction

and the other 12 cases experienced tumor resection and vascular reconstruction as internal carotid arteries were involved. After operation

3 cases developed cerebral infarction

30 cases showed cranial nerve palsy

including 15 cases of hypoglossal nerve damage

10 cases of vagus paralysis

and 5 cases of Horner’s syndrome. Conclusion It is essential to make a proper surgical strategy

which can reduce postoperative complications.