The Dr recommended that the carotid on each side of his neck undergo this procedure. The picture I posted is what it would look like...may have to take another vein from his other leg to use in this procedure also. Carotid Endarterectomy A small incision is made in the neck just below the level of the jaw. The narrowed carotid artery is exposed. The blood flow through the narrowed area may be temporarily rerouted (shunted). Rerouting is done by placing a tube in the vessel above and below the narrowing. Blood flows around the narrowed area during the surgery. The artery is opened and the plaque is carefully removed, often in one piece. A vein from the leg may be sewn (grafted) on the carotid artery to widen or repair the vessel. The shunt is removed, and the artery and skin incisions are closed. What To Expect After Surgery The surgery often takes about an hou (Im guessing an hour on each side of the neck). Recuperation includes spending a short time in the recovery room and may include about 24 hours in the intensive care unit to watch for complications. The hospital stay usually is 1 to 3 days. And normal activities can be resumed within a week as long as the activities are not physically demanding. There may be some aching in the neck for up to 2 weeks. It is important not to turn the head too often or too quickly during recovery. Why It Is Done Your doctor may suggest that you have this surgery if: You have had a mild stroke or one or more transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in the past 6 months and you have 70% or more narrowing in your carotid artery. You have a low risk of complications from the surgery. You have 50% to 69% narrowing and have had at least one of the following: One or more TIAs in the past 6 months. A series of small strokes in the past 6 months, and each small stroke has left you a little more disabled. A mild or moderate stroke in the past 6 months. How Well It Works You are most likely to benefit from surgery if you have had symptoms and if your carotid artery is narrowed by 70% or more. People with less than 50% narrowing do not seem to benefit from surgery.1 Carotid endarterectomy is more effective than treatment with medicine alone in preventing stroke for people who have symptoms that can be attributed to a 70% to 99% blockage of the carotid arteries. Risks The major risks associated with carotid endarterectomy are: Stroke. Heart attack. Breathing problems. High blood pressure. Infection. Injury to nerves (usually causing vocal cord paralysis and problems with managing saliva and tongue movement). Bleeding in the brain. Plaque buildup, which may redevelop as a late complication between 5 months and 13 years after surgery. Death.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 06:26:49 +0000
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