Conditions & Services / Carotid Endarterectomy

Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a buildup of plaque from the inner wall of the carotid artery (carotid artery disease) and is also used to treat subclavian artery disease. In this procedure, a surgeon will make a small incision on the side of the neck overlying the carotid and remove the blockage clogging the artery. General anesthesia is typically administered for carotid endarterectomy. The surgeon then repairs the artery with stitches and a patch made with a vein or artificial material (patch graft). This surgery usually requires up to two days of recovery time in the hospital.