Pseudoaneurysm after patch-free carotid bifurcation endarterectomy: a case report

The purpose of this report is to present the case of a 59-year-old man affected by multivessel coronary artery disease and sterile pseudoaneurysm of the right carotid bifurcation presenting as a pulsating neck mass 1 month after patch-free carotid endarterectomy. The surgical approach included median sternotomy and incision parallel to the anterior margin of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. The pseudoaneurysm was excised after control of the brachiocefalic trunk and insertion of a Pruit-Inahara shunt, and the carotid vessels were directly sutured without using any prosthetic or autologous material. Concomitant coronary bypass grafting was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and there was no evidence of recurrence of pseudoaneurysm at 6-month follow-up. On the basis of this experience and of pertinent literature, the options for the management of such rare entities are discussed.