Vabalayte K.V., Romanchishen A.F., Tymkiv E.A., Somova A.D. The Role of Carotid Body in the Vital Signs’ Changes after Thyroid Surgery: An Experimental Study. Head and neck. Russian Journal. 2023;11(4):8–16
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25792/HN.2023.11.4.8-16
Aim: to investigate the underlying causes of altered vital signs in an animal model of post-thyroidectomy bleeding.
Material and methods. We performed a series of in vivo animal studies simulating post-thyroidectomy hemorrhage and its effect on respiratory and cardiovascular system. Two series of tests were carried out in 20 Chinchilla rabbits under general anesthesia. The rabbits were intubated. The first experimental series involved 10 animals. Post-thyroidectomy hemorrhage in this series was simulated by injections of autologous blood (5.0–10.0 ml) under the fascia of cervical neurovascular bundles. The pressure induced by post-thyroidectomy hemorrhage in the second series was simulated by mechanical compressions of the carotid body unilaterally or bilaterally. The minimum compression time reached 1 minute. The maximum compression time was 20 minutes. Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were measured in all cases.
Results. Mechanical compression of the carotid body resulted in decreased blood pressure, respiratory and heart rate values. Time to complete recovery of respiratory and cardiovascular function depended on the duration of compression.
Conclusion. Respiratory and cardiovascular function can be suppressed by compression of the carotid body. Post-thyroidectomy hematomas must be evacuated immediately.
Key words: thyroidectomy, complications, bleeding, animal model, post-thyroidectomy hemorrhage, carotid body
Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding. There was no funding for this study.