Related Experiment Videos
Carotid endarterectomy under cervical plexus block--a prospective clinical audit
M J Davies1, G C Murrell, K D Cronin
1Department of Anaesthesia, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Superficial and deep cervical plexus blocks offer a safe anesthesia option for carotid endarterectomy, demonstrating high patient acceptance and low neurological complication rates. Cardiovascular changes were manageable, with most patients preferring this technique for future procedures.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Carotid endarterectomy is a common procedure to prevent stroke.
- Anesthesia choice impacts patient outcomes and acceptance.
- Cervical plexus blocks offer a regional anesthesia alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit the safety and efficacy of superficial and deep cervical plexus blocks for carotid endarterectomy.
- To determine the incidence of intra-operative and postoperative neurological and cardiovascular complications.
- To assess patient acceptance of this anesthesia technique.
Main Methods:
- Prospective audit of 128 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
- Anesthesia administered via superficial and deep cervical plexus blocks.
- Monitoring for neurological and cardiovascular complications, and patient feedback collection.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven patients experienced transient intra-operative neurological changes, all responding to shunt insertion.
- Six patients had transient postoperative neurological changes; no permanent neurological deficits occurred.
- Common intra-operative cardiovascular changes included tachycardia (55%) and hypertension (67%). One postoperative myocardial infarction was reported.
- 92% of assessed patients preferred this anesthesia method for future procedures.
Conclusions:
- Carotid endarterectomy under superficial and deep cervical plexus blocks is associated with high patient acceptance.
- The technique demonstrates a low rate of neurological complications.
- Cardiovascular complications were acceptable, making this a viable anesthesia option.