Selective patching in carotid endarterectomy: is patching always necessary?
BACKGROUND
The value of carotid patching in carotid endarterectomy in achieving low perioperative morbidity and long-term freedom from restenosis is controversial. We hypothesized that if large internal carotid arteries were closed primarily and smaller arteries selectively patched, there would be no difference in early or long-term results between the two groups.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 133 carotid endarterectomies performed by one surgeon in a community teaching hospital was performed to evaluate a selective approach to patching vs primary closure. Primary closure was performed if the arteriotomy could be closed without tension over a Javid shunt. Seventy-seven arteries underwent primary closure and 56 underwent patching (Vein-14, PTFE-17, Dacron-25). Postoperative (>6 month) duplex scans were available on 46/77 (60%) patients undergoing primary closure, and 33/56 (59%) of patients with patch repair.


RESULTS
There were 2 perioperative neurologic deficits, both in the patch group. Restenosis of equal or greater than 50% at 11 months occurred in 5/46 (10.8%) of patients with primary closure and 2/34 patients (5.9%) with patch closure (p=ns). No patient in either group had a late neurologic event or required a redo operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective primary closure is not associated with increased risk of perioperative neurologic events or statistically significant evidence of late postoperative stenosis if primary closure is performed in large internal carotid arteries.
Pappas
D
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Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
Hines
G L
GL
Yoonah Kim
E
E
D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome