Carotid Endarterectomy is an important procedure for those at risk of stroke.

Carotid endarterectomy is indicated for patients with a high-grade symptomatic carotid stenosis.

Pre-operative preparation



Day of procedure

You may be admitted on the morning of the procedure if your work-up has been completed. You will be required to bring ALL of your usual medications. I am usually happy for you to continue blood thinners such as aspirin or clopidogrel. Warfarin, however, does need to be ceased at least 3 days before the procedure.


Your anaesthetist will consult you prior to the operation and explain the anaesthetic and its risks to you.

The procedure

A full general anaesthetic is administered. A tube is inserted into your windpipe (trachea) to help with your breathing while you are asleep. An intravenous line is inserted for the administration of anaesthetic agents during the procedure.

The operation is performed through an oblique incision on the side of your neck.

The carotid artery is exposed, with care taken to identify and preserve the hypoglossal and vagus nerves. A nerve responsible for sensation to the angle of the jaw is invariably divided, and this is responsible for some numbness in that region following the operation.

Heparin is administered to help keep the blood thin. The carotid artery and its main branches are clamped, the vessel opened, and a shunt inserted to maintain flow to the brain. The plaque responsible for the narrowing is removed meticulously, resulting in a carotid free of any residual plaque. The artery is then closed either directly with a continuous suture or with a patch (synthetic or vein), thereby enlarging the carotid, which is necessary in some cases. Just before the artery is closed, the shunt is removed.

The wound is closed with dissolvable sutures and a suction (redivac) drain is often inserted, though generally removed within 24 hours.

If you are considering Carotid Endarterectomy, please contact our experienced team today.