Cervical nerve injury after carotid endarterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
to determine the extent and direct significance of cervical nerve injury after carotid endarterectomy.


METHODS
fifty-two patients (61 operations) were followed by means of patient history and neurological examination between 3 and 55 months following carotid endarterectomy.


RESULTS
sixteen operated sites showed normal sensitivity. Patients assessed 3-6 months after surgery showed on average a neurological loss of 3.4 points (scale from 0-4). Patients assessed after 7-12 months had on average a deficit of 2.1 points. After 13-24 months the score was at 1.4 and after the second postoperative year the score yielded only 0.4 points.


CONCLUSIONS
loss of cervical nerve sensation is always present after carotid endarterectomy but tends to improve with time. However, the timing and extent of this improvement is unpredictable. Patients are usually not disturbed by these changes.
Mauch
J
J
University Center for Vascular Surgery, Aarau/Basel.
Landolt
M
M
Fischer
G
G
Gürke
L
L
Stierli
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002572:Cervical Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors