[Regional anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy].

Cervical plexus blocks have been established as safe and feasible procedures for carotid endarterectomy. Comparable perioperative complication rates have been reported for plexus techniques and general anaesthesia. The results of the GALA trial support the theory that the indication for insertion of intraluminal shunts was significantly reduced by regional procedures (14 % vs. 43 %) in consequence of the more reliable diagnosis of neurological complications. However, it has not been identified yet which technique (superficial, deep or a combination) offers the highest effectiveness.