Sitename.com
Diseases Symptoms Drugs Injuries Surgeries Vitamins Pediatric Symptoms
  home         about us         support center         contact us         terms of service         site map

CAROTID-ARTERY ENDARTERECTOMY

General Information

DEFINITION--Removal of obstruction in carotid (neck) artery due to hardening of arteries (arteriosclerosis).

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Carotid arteries.

REASONS FOR SURGERY--Prevention of stroke and transient ischemic attacks.

SURGICAL RISK INCREASES WITH

  • Adults over 60.
  • Stress.
  • Obesity.
  • Smoking.
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Excess alcohol consumption.
  • Recent illness such as respiratory infection.
  • Atherosclerosis; coronary artery disease; or diabetes mellitus.
  • Use of drugs such as: antihypertensives; muscle relaxants; tranquilizers; sleep inducers; insulin; sedatives; beta-adrenergic blockers; or cortisone.
  • Use of mind-altering drugs.

What To Expect

WHO OPERATES--General surgeon, neurosurgeon, cardiovascular surgeon, or peripheral vascular surgeon.

WHERE PERFORMED--Hospital.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

  • Before surgery: Blood and urine studies; ECG; arteriograms (See Glossary).
  • After surgery: Blood studies.

ANESTHESIA--General anesthesia by injection and inhalation with an airway tube placed in the windpipe.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

  • An incision is made in the neck over the obstruction.
  • The obstructed area is isolated. Sometimes, a tube is used to circulate blood around the obstruction.
  • A small incision is made over the obstruction, which is scraped away. The opened area is patched with a graft fashioned from a vein from another part of the body.
  • If the bypass tube is temporary, it is removed.
  • The skin is closed with sutures or clips, which usually can be removed in 2 weeks.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

  • Excessive bleeding.
  • Surgical-wound infection.
  • Inadvertent injury to a branch of the nerves to the face, vocal cord or tongue.
  • Stroke.
  • Hematoma (blood clot).

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY--7 days.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Expect complete healing without complications and restoration of good blood flow to the brain. Allow about 2 weeks for recovery from surgery.


Postoperative Care

† Move and elevate legs often while in bed to decrease the likelihood of deep--vein blood clots.

† You may use non--prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, for minor pain.

† To help recovery and aid your well--

    being, resume daily activities, including work, as soon as you are able.

  • Avoid vigorous exercise for 6 weeks after surgery. Resume sexual relations when your doctor determines that healing is complete. > Resume driving 3 weeks after returning home.

DIET--Eat a well--balanced diet to promote healing.


Call Your Doctor If

Any of the following occurs:

  • Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area.
  • Signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
  • Nausea, vomiting or constipation.
  • New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
read more

Email:

Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
Support forums
Help desk
F.A.Q.
go
home       about us      affiliates     contact us       terms of service      

© 2005 HealthSE.com All right reserved