Prevention and management of postoperative complications of carotid endarterectomy        QIAO Tong, LIU Chang-jian, HUANG Dian, et al. Department of Vascular Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
Corresponding author: QIAO Tong, E-mail: qiaotonghome@hotmail.com
Abstract    Objective    To study the reasons of complications after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and discuss the prevention and management. Methods    The data of 179 cases of severe carotid artery stenosis (CAS) treated by CEA at Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Nanjing University were analyzed retrospectively. All the cases included 87 cases of standard carotid endoarterectomy (SCEA) and 92 cases of eversion carotid endoarterectomy (ECEA). The shunts were used in 35 cases, which were all treated by SCEA. Results    All procedures were successful. The postoperative complications included aute ICA thrombosis in 1 case, cerebral infarction in 2 cases, cerebral hemorrhage in 2 cases, temporary alexia in 1 case, hypoglossal nerve injury in 1 case, superior laryngeal nerve injury in 1 case and wound hematoma in 3 cases. One case of death resulted from cerebral hemorrhage in perioperative period. Conclusion    The complications of CEA result from incorrect operation indication, operative procedure and postoperative management. The prevention of complication is very important. The complications must be diagnosed exactly and treated as soon as possible.