Local anesthesia in carotid endarterectomy: an alternative method.

Results of carotid endarterectomy (41 operations) carried out under local anesthesia are presented. There were no deaths within 30 days. Three patients had undergone surgery with a temporary internal shunt, following signs of neurological changes (unconsciousness, aphasia, motor changes) during 1-min test cross-clamping. No neurologic deficits were observed, and only two patients (4.8%) experienced postoperative hypertension. These data support the view that simple neurological monitoring of awake patients enables accurate assessment of the need for an internal carotid shunt. Carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia seems to be a very safe procedure. Use of this technique is especially appropriate for elderly patients with hypertension and ischemic heart disease.