[Carotid TEA in asymptomatic stenoses--is intraoperative monitoring a conditio sine qua non?].

Continuous registration of somatosensory evoked potentials and continuous electroencephalographic monitoring (computerized topographic brain mapping) during carotid endarterectomy are the most used methods to predict the need for shunt insertion. Between 1990 and 1994 a consecutive series of 78 carotid endarterectomies for asymptomatic stenoses without any cerebral monitoring was performed in our department. In all patients an indwelling shunt had been inserted. The perioperative neurological morbidity and mortality rate was 0. In our opinion there is no need for an intraoperative monitoring during carotid endarterectomy if certain principles referring to the operative technique will be noted.