Carotid Endarterectomy

A carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure with goal to prevent stroke. It is a durable procedure but not a cure; though rare, blockage can accumulate again.

Why It’s Done

Your vascular surgeon may recommend you have a carotid endarterectomy if you have:

A moderate (50-79%) blockage of a carotid artery and are experiencing symptoms such as stroke, mini-stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack).
A severe (75-80% or more) blockage even if you have no symptoms.

Risks

Stroke occurs in 2–3% of patients with no pre-procedure symptoms; in 5–7% of patients with pre-procedure symptoms such as stroke, mini-stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack). After the operation you will be asked to move your arms and legs and be examined by nurses and doctors to make sure that you have not had any new stroke symptoms.

Heart attack

Nerve damage, affecting your voice box, tongue, lower lip on side of surgery or back.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

Expect to be in the hospital 1–2 days, longer if complications develop, in which case a stay at a rehabilitation facility may be needed.

You will have a sore throat and the skin around the incision on your neck will be numb. This improves over time.

You will see your vascular surgeon and have a carotid ultrasound to look at the artery. This will be done once or twice a year to make sure the plaque has not accumulated again.

You may wish to eat smooth, soft foods like soup and yogurt for a while before returning to your normal diet.

Driving is usually permitted once pain medicine is stopped and you can easily turn your head to check your surroundings on the road and safely merge with traffic.