[Surgical treatment of extracranial carotid aneurysms]

The incidence of aneurysm ranges from 0.1 to 3.7 of all carotid artery diseases requiring surgery. The aim of the study was to describe our personal experience with the surgical therapy of aneurysms of the carotid artery. Over the period from 1980 to 2000 we observed 19 aneurysms of the extracranial carotid tract in 17 patients. Eleven patients were subjected to surgical treatment (M/F: 2:1; mean age: 59 years). The sizes of the lesion ranged from 2 to 5.5 cm. The locations of the lesions were: common carotid 5; internal carotid 4; bifurcation 4. A shunt was utilised in one patient. No mortality was recorded. In 2 patients there was a transitory central neurological deficit, and in 4 patients a transitory peripheral neurological deficit. A definitive peripheral deficit was recorded in one patient (9%). The authors recommend prompt surgical treatment, in view of the low morbidity and almost total absence of mortality.