Carotid artery surgery - series: Procedure
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While you are deep asleep and pain-free, an incision is made in the neck, over the blocked carotid artery. A tube is inserted above and below the blockage to re-direct the blood flow. Fat and cholesterol build-ups are removed from the carotid artery. The artery is stitched (sutured) closed, the tube is removed, and the incision is closed.
Update Date: 9/25/2008 Updated by: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.