Hazards and safeguards during carotid endarterectomy. Technical considerations.

The hazards and safeguards of carotid endarterectomy are presented in a consecutive series of 130 patients over a fourteen month period. The mortality rate of 1.5 per cent was due to myocardial infarction. Two patients (1.5 per cent) suffered minor but permanent neurologic deficit. There was an incidence of 4.6 per cent transient neurologic deficits, all of which cleared within 24 hours. Special emphasis is placed on peripheral nerve injuries (12.3 per cent). Local neurologic anatomy is reviewed to facilitate safe dissection and an avoidance of nerve injury.