Eversion endarterectomy of the internal carotid artery combined with open endarterectomy of the common carotid artery

The author presents a technique for endarterectomy and reconstruction of the carotid bifurcation in difficult cases when the plaque extends high into the internal carotid artery. The technique combines the aspects of the 2 most commonly performed procedures: carotid endarterectomy after a longitudinal arteriotomy extending from the common carotid artery into the internal carotid artery and eversion endarterectomy in which the plaque is removed from the internal carotid artery sectioned from the common carotid artery and everted. The author suggests applying this technique selectively in patients in whom the atherosclerotic plaque extends very high into the internal carotid artery. The technique offers the advantages of removing the plaque into the common carotid artery under direct vision and leaving the original dimensions and geometry of the internal carotid artery, theoretically decreasing the probability of early thrombosis and recurrent carotid disease. For routine cases, the author prefers and recommends standard carotid bifurcation endarterectomy with patch closure when the size of the arteries is reduced like in women and selected male patients.