A simple method for combined carotid endarterectomy and correction of internal carotid artery kinking

Occasionally symptomatic kinking of the internal carotid artery will require correction. More frequently one must rectify a kink that occurs after bifurcation endarterectomy when associated with a redundant internal carotid artery. Most procedures described for shortening of the carotid artery are somewhat cumbersome when endarterectomy is also performed or require the use of patch closure. Herein we described a technique for combined endarterectomy of the bifurcation and straightening of a critically angulated internal carotid artery. The approach obviates many of the difficulties encountered with other methods.