Understanding Your Procedure
Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove plaque buildup from the carotid arteries in your neck, which are the main vessels that supply blood to your brain. By restoring healthy blood flow, this surgery helps reduce your risk of stroke.
What to Expect with a Carotid Endarterectomy
- You’ll receive general anesthesia (you’ll be asleep) or in select cases local anesthesia with sedation.
- The surgeon makes an incision on one side of your neck, exposes the artery, removes the plaque and repairs the artery (often with a patch) to restore blood flow.
- The operation typically lasts about 2–3 hours, though individual times vary.
- After surgery you’ll be monitored in the hospital for 1–2 days, and many patients go home the next day if recovery is smooth.
- In the days after surgery you may have soreness or bruising in your neck, temporary difficulty swallowing, or mild discomfort — these are common.
- You’ll receive detailed discharge instructions including how to care for the incision, activity restrictions (e.g., avoiding heavy lifting for several weeks), and medications to reduce future plaque buildup or risk.
- Lifestyle changes (healthy eating, managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, quitting smoking) play an important role in maximizing long-term benefit from the surgery.
Additional Resources