Post-Surgical Care for Carotid Artery Surgery

Immediately after carotid artery surgery, physicians will focus on ensuring that patients display no signs of potential stroke or difficulties with the flow of blood through the neck and brain. Hospital stays are brief, so, soon after the surgery, a recovering patient will need to continue increasing a healthier lifestyle.

Significance

• Carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis, refers to arteries in the neck that have become clogged. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, also called "hardening of the arteries," or plaque. It builds over decades as a deposit of fatty substances, largely comprised of cholesterol, accumulates in the arteries, blocking blood flow and oxygen to the brain, with a potentially fatal stroke often the end result.

Surgeries

• A carotid endarterectomy is one of the common operations utilized to relieve the disease. "In this procedure, an incision is made in the neck and the inner, diseased layers of the artery are cut out and the outer layer is sewn back together, allowing increased blood flow to the brain," says The Cleveland Clinic. The insertion of stents is an alternative way of reopening blocked arteries. These tiny metal tubes prop open the affected artery.

Care

• Following surgery, patients often spend at least 24 hours in intensive care, as the first day after surgery is the most dangerous in the recovery process. Nearly 5 percent of patients develop a potentially fatal complication during this time period. Stroke is the chief concern, and physicians will stringently monitor blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow through the brain.

  "The risk of a subsequent stroke is about 1 percent per year (significantly less than the 7.5 percent per year on aspirin)," according to Dr. Jonothan Earnshaw, a vascular surgeon with Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the United Kingdom. "Most patients only need 2 to 3 days in hospital."

  After discharge, physical activity should be limited for several weeks. The patient should avoid driving and make his physician aware of severe headaches, a swollen neck or any noticeable changes in brain function. The doctor should provide instructions on the amount of time to refrain from showering; at that point, it should be acceptable to wet the incision area as long as it is not scrubbed. Those who need to shave near the wound may want to consider using an electric razor.

Diet

• While a carotid endarterectomy minimizes the possibility of stroke, it does not keep atherosclerosis from reoccurring. This is referred to as restenosis. To avoid additional blockage, a healthier lifestyle will have to be adopted, chiefly a reduction of calorie and cholesterol intake. Limiting consumption of saturated fat is a huge help. Margarine, butter and shortening should be eliminated from the diet; alternatives such as olive oil and canola oil are excellent substitutions. These are monounsaturated fats which, just like polyunsaturated fats, are significantly healthier. Still, even these fats should be limited due to their high calorie level.

  A program of exercise, in addition to restriction of sodium and avoidance of tobacco smoke, are vital tools in post-surgical care for carotid artery surgery.