title: Cranial and cervical nerve damage associated with carotid endarterectomy.
abstract: Carotid endarterectomy may be complicated by damage to the adjacent cranial and cervical nerves. The true incidence and severity of these complications is rarely reported. In a prospective study of 43 carotid endarterectomies there was a 25 per cent incidence of temporary vocal cord palsy, 5 per cent incidence of hypoglossal nerve damage and anaesthesia of the greater auricular and transverse cervical nerves was found in 60 per cent and 69 per cent of patients respectively 1 week postoperatively. There was some recovery of these nerve injuries over a 6-month period.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries; D004691:Endarterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061228:Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors; D061223:Vagus Nerve Injuries; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology