Incidence of cranial nerve dysfunction following carotid endarterectomy

An analysis of postoperative injuries to the recurrent laryngeal, hypoglossal, marginal mandibular, and superior laryngeal nerves was undertaken in 517 patients who underwent 535 carotid endarterectomies between April 1978 and March 1981 at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. A review of the literature is presented followed by the results of this analysis and a discussion of the findings. Suggestions for decreasing or avoiding such injuries are made. Conclusions are drawn to help the otolaryngologist identify the endarterectomized patient with an impaired upper aerodigestive tract.