Closure of carotid bifurcation endarterectomy using a polyurethane patch: A multicentre prospective study with 252 patients

Background. In order to evaluate the results of carotid endarterectomy with closure using a polyurethane patch, a multicentre prospective study of 252 patients (263 interventions) undergoing this operation was performed between November 1996 and August 2001. Methods. One hundred and seventy-one men and 81 women with a mean age of 70 years were studied. Fifty-five percent of the patients had neurological symptoms. The degree of carotid stenosis evaluated using the European carotid surgery trialist's collaborative group (ECST) criteria was greater than or equal to 70% in 95% of cases. Results. The combined mortality-morbidity operation rate (CMMR) was 2% (1 death from cerebrovascular haemorrhage on Day 3, 1 non-regressive cerebrovascular accident (CVA), 3 regressive CVAs). The patients had follow-up clinical examinations and Doppler ultrasound scans for 2 years. Fifteen patients died during follow-up, 8 of these patients died from heart-related causes and 2 patients died from CVA. Four patients presented with CVAS ipsilateral or contralateral to the endarterectomy. Two false aseptic aneurysms and 1 false septic aneurysm required further surgery. Three asymptomatic carotid occlusions occurred during follow-up. The rate of restenosis greater than 50% was 1.2% at 6 months, 2.3% at 1 year and 5.3% at 2 years. Conclusions. These results confirm the value of polyurethane patch closure of carotid endarterectomy.