Review of a community hospital experience with carotid endarterectomy.

Carotid endarterectomy was performed 743 times during 56 months in a community hospital by 24 surgeons. The mortality rate was 2.7% and permanent stroke occurred in 1.8%. Temporary postoperative neurologic deficit occurred in 3.5%. The frequency with which the surgeon performed the procedure did not appear significant in the incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality.