Cranial nerve injuries following carotid endarterectomy: an analysis of 336 procedures.

Cranial nerve injuries may result from carotid endarterectomy. From January 1984 to December 1987, a total of 336 carotid endarterectomies were performed at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Cleveland Veterans Administration Hospital. Forty-five cranial nerve injuries were documented (13.5%). Twenty patients (6%) had documented unilateral vocal cord paralysis, 16 (4.8%) had hypoglossal injuries, 8 (2.4%) had facial nerve paresis, and 1 (0.3%) had an injury to the spinal accessory nerve. Although most injuries were due to either retraction or edema of cranial nerves, long-term follow-up regarding recovery of function is very important. We feel that proper clinical evaluation of these patients should be routinely done preoperatively in order to document possible preexisting cranial nerve deficits. Postoperatively, if symptoms of possible cranial nerve abnormalities occur, these patients should have a thorough head and neck evaluation in order to identify possible lesions and institute further treatment to improve their quality of life.