The influence of resident surgical training on outcome of carotid endarterectomy in a teaching hospital.

Eighty-two consecutive patients who underwent 101 consecutive carotid endarterectomies (CEA) between 1982 and the first half of 1986 were evaluated. All of the operations were performed by fourth and fifth year general surgical residents under direct staff supervision. Hemispheric symptoms were present in 75 percent, and 64 per cent had a stenosis of 70 per cent or greater. In 24 per cent of the CEA, the indication for operation was a completed stroke. The operative stroke rate was 3 per cent and the mortality rate, 1 per cent. At a mean follow-up period of 17.4 months, no strokes had occurred, and the restenosis rate was 4 per cent over-all and 1 per cent in primary simple CEA. These results of CEA in a teaching hospital are excellent and indicate no compromise in patient care related to resident surgeons performing the procedures.