What is Carotid Endarterectomy?
Carotid endarterectomy is an operation to remove plaque (fatty deposits) from inside the carotid arteries, which run up either side of the neck and supply blood to the brain. When these arteries become significantly narrowed, the risk of stroke rises considerably. Removing the plaque restores normal blood flow and dramatically reduces that risk.
Who Needs This Operation?
Carotid endarterectomy is recommended for people with significant narrowing of the carotid artery (typically greater than 70 per cent) who have recently experienced a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke), a minor stroke, or warning symptoms such as sudden weakness, vision loss, or difficulty speaking. In selected patients with severe narrowing but no symptoms, the operation may also be recommended to prevent a future stroke.
How is the Operation Performed?
The operation is performed under general or regional anaesthetic. A carefully placed incision is made along the side of the neck to expose the carotid artery. The artery is temporarily clamped, the plaque is carefully removed, and the artery is repaired, usually with a small patch to widen it and reduce the risk of re-narrowing. The procedure typically takes one to two hours.
Recovery and What to Expect
Most patients stay in hospital for one to two nights following the operation. The neck wound is usually small and heals well. Most people can return to light activities within two to three weeks and are fully recovered within four to six weeks. You will be monitored closely in the days after surgery and advised on medications to help protect your arteries long term.
The risks of carotid endarterectomy are small in experienced hands and are far outweighed by the benefit of stroke prevention in appropriately selected patients. Dr Garbowski will thoroughly assess your suitability for the procedure and discuss all options at your consultation.
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Conditions we can treat with Carotid Endarterectomy
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Frequently Asked Questions
Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery in the neck. By clearing the narrowed artery, normal blood flow to the brain is restored and the risk of stroke caused by clot or debris from the plaque is significantly reduced.