- Physical Examination
- Surgical Examination
- Ophthalmology
- Clinical Skills
- Orthopedics
- Surgery Videos
- Laparoscopy
- Pediatrics
- Funny Videos
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Nursing Videos
- Plastic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Histology and Histopathology
- Neurosurgery
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Dentistry
- Oncology and Cancers
- Anatomy Videos
- Health and Fitness
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmacology
- Interventional Radiology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Childbirth Videos
- General Medical Videos
- Nephrology
- Physiology
- Diet and Food Health
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Neurology
- Women Health
- Osteoporosis
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Rheumatology
- Toxicology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Disease
- Reproductive Health
- Burns and Wound Healing
- Kidney Zone Podcast
- Other
Carotid endarterectomy
Category: Brain, Nerve & Sleep Tests · All brain, nerve & sleep tests
What it is
Carotid endarterectomy is an operation to remove fatty plaque from inside the carotid artery in the neck, restoring smooth blood flow to the brain and reducing stroke risk from that artery.
Why it is done
It is recommended mainly for severe narrowing that has recently caused a TIA or minor stroke on the same side, where surgery soon after the event gives the greatest stroke prevention. It is occasionally offered for very severe narrowing without symptoms in selected patients.
How to prepare
You will have brain and artery imaging, blood tests, heart assessment and anaesthetic review. Antiplatelet medicines (such as aspirin/clopidogrel) are usually continued; other blood thinners are planned. The operation is done under general anaesthetic or local/regional anaesthetic with monitoring of brain function while you are awake — your team will discuss which.
What happens during the procedure
Through a cut along the neck, the artery is opened and the plaque is peeled away from the artery wall; sometimes a patch widens the artery as it is closed, or a temporary shunt maintains brain blood flow while the artery is clamped. Surgery takes about one to two hours.
Afterwards — recovery & results
You are monitored closely afterwards, usually for one night, with careful blood pressure control. The neck wound heals over a couple of weeks; bruising and a patch of numbness near the wound are common. Most people resume normal activities within two to three weeks.
Risks & considerations
Risks include stroke during or soon after surgery (a few percent, balanced against the higher stroke risk without surgery in symptomatic disease), bleeding or haematoma in the neck, nerve injuries affecting voice, tongue or smile (usually temporary), heart strain, and re-narrowing over the years. Your surgeon and stroke physician will give your individual figures.
Watch: Carotid endarterectomy videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Why operate if I feel fine after my mini-stroke?
A TIA is a warning: the early weeks after symptoms carry the highest stroke risk from a tight carotid narrowing, and removing the plaque during that window prevents the most strokes.
Is a stent an alternative?
Carotid stenting suits some anatomies and higher surgical-risk patients; for most symptomatic patients over 70, surgery has better outcomes. A multidisciplinary team advises case by case.
Related procedures — Brain, Nerve & Sleep Tests
Browse the C section of the A–Z list or return to the Procedures & Tests hub.