Iatrogenic lesions of cranial nerves during endarterectomy of the carotid artery

: Cranial nerve injuries may result from carotid endarterectomy. In a retrospective study of 222 surgical procedures, from July 1982 through June 1990 only three cranial nerve injuries were documented (1.35%). In a prospective study of 79 carotid endarterectomies performed from July 1990 through June 1992, there were 11 nerve injuries (13.9%), fortunately most of them were temporary. We conclude that carotid endarterectomy is associated with a much higher incidence of local nerve injury than retrospective surveys would indicate.