Carotid Endarterectomies With PTFE Patch Angioplasty

Surgical treatment of carotid stenosis has proved to be superior to medical treatment in many studies. However, debate continues on the issue of surgical techniques. Closure of the arteriotomy site remains to be one of these concerns. This study aims to evaluate the results of CEA with PTFE patch angioplasty in a prospective non-randomized way. Reports on 22 patients who had undergone CEA with PTFE patch angioplasty between January 1999 and September 2000 in the Medical Faculty of Istanbul University were reviewed. Follow-up studies with Duplex ultrasonography were completed. One of the patients (5%) suffered from a TIA and another one (5%) from wound haematoma. The mean operation time was 83.64 ± 34.07 min (45–160 min). No restenosis was detected during the follow-up period. Although PTFE patch angioplasty prolongs the operation period in CEA procedures, it is a safe method, which prevents the restenosis of the operated carotid artery that might make reintervention necessary.