[Injuries of carotid arteries]

Carotid artery injuries reveal as a specific and relatively small group of vascular trauma. Hemorrhage from vessels of this diameter and flow (10 % of cardiac output) has predominantly a fatal end or shows severe neurological sequelae. Cut and stab wounds represent the majority of carotid injuries, often associated with venous damage. Blunt trauma and fractures of the skull basis are uncommon causes. We present 43 cases of carotid injuries operated upon as emergency service (in the majority outside of our hospital). The number of postoperative surgical and neurological complications was moderate.