Removing the calcium layer (endarterectomy)
An endarterectomy is a traditional operation in which the doctor treats the narrowed blood vessel by cutting away the inside layer of the vessel wall together with the calcium layer or plaque.
The material causing the vessel to be narrowed is removed together with the inside layer of the artery wall and the incision is closed using a patch. An endarterectomy takes two hours on average.
An endarterectomy is either done under a general or an epidural anaesthetic (given via a needle in the back). In an endarterectomy of the neck arteries, a local anaesthetic is sometimes used. The anaesthetist will talk to you to decide on this before the procedure.
The vascular surgeon will try to prevent wound infection, bleeding and thrombosis, but there is still a small risk. The possible risks will be discussed with you by the surgeon during a preoperative interview in the outpatient clinic.