A survey of carotid surgery

One hundred consecutive case notes of patients undergoing internal carotid thrombendarterectomy (TEA) were reviewed in each of seven major teaching hospitals to establish the pattern of practice of carotid surgery. In particular, details of risk factors, indications for surgery, operative details and results of surgery were available for comparison for each hospital compared to the remaining group. An overall mortality rate of 3.3%, which varied between hospitals, from 1% to 6%, was noted. Similar mortality rates were observed when the indication for surgery was transient ischaemic attack (TIA), pre-existing stroke or asymptomatic stenosis.