Intraoperative iodine 125 implants. Their use in large tumors in the neck attached to the carotid artery.

Twenty-nine patients with large masses attached to the carotid artery underwent surgical resection, preservation of the artery, and intraoperative iodine 125 implantation via an absorbable suture. Eighteen were treated for recurrent neoplasms, having failed prior surgery and/or irradiation therapy. Eleven were treated primarily. With a minimum follow-up of one year, 76% were disease free in the implant volume and 62% were disease free in the entire neck. Distant metastases occurred in 45%. Mean survival was 15 months in the primary group (range, two to 50 months) and 12 months in the recurrent group (range, four to 26 months). This technique shows promise in providing local control without necessity for sacrifice of the carotid artery.