[Peripheral cranial nerve paralysis as a sequela of operations of the carotid artery]

265 carotid endarterectomies in 210 patients (all vein patch in the carotid bifurcation) were investigated postoperatively for the presence and reversibility of cranial nerve palsy especially for N. facialis, N. hypoglossus, and N. vagus paresis. Additionally, the anatomical relationship between the affected cranial nerve and the carotid artery and the influence of surgical case load on the incidence of cranial nerve paresis were investigated. Altogether 28 (10.5%) cranial nerve injuries were registered. In 6 (2.2%) cases the hypoglossus nerve was injured, in 13 (4.9%) the vagal nerve (N. laryngeus recurrens) and in 9 (3.4%) facial nerve paresis occurred. Cranial nerves VII and X, which are not directly connected with the area operated on, show significantly more injuries than the hypoglossal nerve (p < 0.01), which is located closer to the carotid artery. Significantly lower rates of cranial nerve injuries (p < 0.01) were recorded in cases operated on by surgeons with greater experience (> 30 cases) than by surgeons with a case load below this threshold. Although different reasons for cranial nerve injuries such as direct pressure, retraction or edema are known, all pareses show an excellent spontaneous recovery rate within the period of one year.