Surgical management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms: report of 17 cases

• Published in: Texas Heart Institute journal 1988, Vol.15 (2), p.91-97
• Main Authors: Knight, G C, Hallman, G L, Reul, G J, Ott, D A, Cooley, D A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical Investigation
• ISSN: 0730-2347

This article reviews the operative techniques, results, and complications associated with the treatment of 17 extracranial carotid artery aneurysms encountered in an overall experience of 6,096 carotid endarterectomies during a 24-year period. All 17 patients were operated upon because of severe symptoms and the potential for stroke. Eight patients underwent an aneurysmorrhaphy with Dacron-patch angioplasty; 7 had resection of the aneurysm, with end-to-end anastomosis and Dacron-patch angioplasty; and 2 underwent clipping of the aneurysm. There was 1 hospital death, in the case of a patient who sustained a postoperative myocardial infarction. Three patients had a postoperative neurologic deficit; this complication was permanent in 1 case and transient in 2. During long-term follow-up, no late stroke occurred; nevertheless, 3 patients died of a myocardial infarction, for an overall 5-year survival rate of 77%. On the basis of this study, we conclude that accessible aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery can be excised with an acceptable morbidity and mortality.