Use of Embolization with Liquid Agent in Glomus Surgery

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the effects of embolization using liquid embolic agent (Onyx) in surgery for jugulotympanic tumors with regard to length of stay in hospital, duration of procedure, signs of facial palsy, intraoperative hemorrhage, and postoperative complications.

Method: Six patients were admitted for evaluation therapeutic options. Two patients were treated with radiotherapy and 4 proceeded to surgery. The selection criteria for the therapeutic choice were staging of the lesion, intraoperative risks of the procedure and patient expectations. The embolization with liquid material was performed 2 days prior to surgery by the radiology department in the operative cases. The evaluation was done retrospectively using medical data.

Results: Four patients underwent surgery and 2 patients maintained follow-up after radiotherapy. In comparison with the literature, a reduction of days in the hospital without requiring intensive care a reduction in (average time of 3 days) and a reduction in duration of surgery time (average length of 150 minutes) was noted. There was no need for hemotransfusion, neither facial palsy nor infection of wound was reported after the surgery in patients that underwent preoperative embolization.

Conclusion: We have a shorter duration of surgery and reduced bleeding and reduced length of hospitalization days with a secure embolization, and as a consequence, less postoperative complications.