What are the risks and benefits?
- In carefully selected patients carotid endarterectomy will substantially reduce the risk of stroke – the reduction in risk is greater, the earlier surgery is performed.
- About 2-3% of patients will have a stroke within a few days of the operation. NHS UK (2018)
- Following surgery some patients will experience a sore throat and neck and their voice may be hoarse.
- Often there is a patch of numbness around the neck wound which can last for some months, but eventually resolves. More permanent nerve damage is fortunately very rare.
Page last reviewed: 18 Jan 2021
