title: Regional anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing carotid surgery: report of a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the short-term results in patients more than 75 years of age undergoing carotid endarterectomy at a single institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2004 and June 2007, carotid endarterectomy operations were performed in 123 patients. A total of 70 patients had regional anesthesia. The data for all patients were retrospectively reviewed. Regional anesthesia and selective shunting was performed in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 6 patients, a shunt was required. Primary closure of the carotid artery was performed in 22 patients and patch angioplasty was used in the remainder. There were no postoperative neurological complications. One patient died due to myocardial infarction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid endarterectomy with regional anesthesia can be performed safely in the elderly population with low mortality and morbidity. Regional anesthesia may have advantages over general anesthesia and could potentially aid in avoiding complications related to shunt use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. erdalaslim@yahoo.de
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aslim
authors.forename: Tankut Hakki
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Akay
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Candan
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akpek
authors.forename: Bahadir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gultekin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome