Common carotid artery imbrication as an adjunct to carotid endarterectomy to prevent postoperative carotid kinking

Mobilization of a tortuous carotid artery during endarterectomy may produce redundancy of the carotid artery, and kinking. We reviewed our experience with common carotid artery (CCA) imbrication as a technique to shorten the common and internal carotid artery postendarterectomy and to avoid carotid kinking. A retrospective chart review of 163 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy by the same surgeon between August 1998 and February 2006 was performed. All patients underwent conventional endarterectomy via a longitudinal arteriotomy with an indwelling shunt and patch angioplasty. Patients undergoing concomitant carotid artery imbrication were identified. Twelve patients who underwent carotid imbrication were identified. The mean age was 74.9 ± 8.8 years. Nine patients underwent imbrication of the CCA, and in three cases, the internal carotid artery was plicated. Follow-up duplex ultrasound examinations were available for 10 individuals and mean follow-up time was 10.7 months (range, 1-58 months). There were no cases of peri- or postoperative cerebral accidents and there was no case of restenosis. CCA imbrication as an adjunct to carotid endarterectomy is a feasible technique in preventing postoperative carotid kinking.