Cranial and cervical nerve damage associated with carotid endarterectomy

Carotid endarterectomy may be complicated by damage to the adjacent cranial and cervical nerves. The true incidence and severity of these complications is rarely reported. In a prospective study of 43 carotid endarterectomies there was a 25 per cent incidence of temporary vocal cord palsy, 5 per cent incidence of hypoglossal nerve damage and anaesthesia of the greater auricular and transverse cervical nerves was found in 60 per cent and 69 per cent of patients respectively 1 week postoperatively. There was some recovery of these nerve injuries over a 6-month period.