Carotid endarterectomy: a review of surgical practice in a community hospital.
That a specified number of vascular surgery procedures must be performed annually to maintain competence and that these procedures require a specialized center have been suggested repeatedly. Recent national guidelines admonish us to check our own experience with carotid surgery. In our 10-year review of 215 operations performed for carotid stenosis and/or ulceration by two surgeons in a relatively small community, the combined major morbidity/mortality rate of 2.8% compares favorably to many other series. Our experience suggests that if done judiciously, gently, and with universal shunting, the operation can be accomplished safely in the community hospital setting.
Shaw
R B
RB
Medical and Surgical Clinic, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.
Myers
J K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications