MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Carotid artery surgery

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Carotid artery surgery - series: Procedure

Carotid artery surgery - seriesIllustrations:

Normal anatomy

Indications

Procedure

Aftercare

While you are deep asleep and pain-free, an incision is made in the neck, over the blocked carotid artery. A tube is inserted above and below the blockage to re-direct the blood flow. Fat and cholesterol build-ups are removed from the carotid artery. The artery is stitched (sutured) closed, the tube is removed, and the incision is closed.

Update Date: 7/14/2006

Updated by: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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