title: Carotid endarterectomy with regional anesthesia: an audit of 71 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the successful removal of the atherosclerotic plaque and meticulous anatomical and physiological reconstruction of the carotid artery without any perioperative complications. Endarterectomy can also be carried out with regional anesthesia, which allows monitoring of the neurological status. This study reviews patients who underwent CEA with regional anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 71 consecutive patients were planned to undergo carotid endarterectomy under regional anesthesia between 2000 and 2006. All of these patients, assessed by our neurovascular team, were recruited prospectively and the data was analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group consisted of 23 women and 48 men with a mean age of 62 (range 37-79). 67 patients (94,4%) had symptomatic, and 4 (5,6%) had asymptomatic (5.6%) carotid stenosis. Six patients (8.45%) were intolerant to carotid clamping (8,45%). The stroke morbidity rate was 1.4% and the mortality rate was 1.4%. The mean hospitalization time was 2.07 (range 1-10) days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid endarterectomy performed under regional anesthesia can be a safe method which may lead to better neurological outcome. This method offers several advantages including monitorization of the cerebral ischemia during surgery, usage of selective shunting, decreased need for intensive care and shorter hospitalization time.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Neurosurgery Department, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aykut
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karasu
authors.forename: Demet Yandim
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kuşçu
authors.forename: Göksel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bakaç
authors.forename: Ender
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ofluoğlu
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkoyun
authors.forename: Betül
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yalçiner
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dayan
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.forename: Talat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kiriş
authors.forename: Muammer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uye
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toplamoğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000401:mortality*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies