The safety of a new device as a monopolar electrosurgical unit in carotid endarterectomy: a single center case series

Surgical preparation of the carotid vessels involves some ligature of the vessels and the repeated coagulation of tissues in a region with numerous nerve fibers adjacent to the carotid vessels. The surgeon must take great care to avoid causing lesions that may involve the vagus nerve, the hypoglossal nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve, the spinal accessory nerve, which may be found during the preparation of the carotid vessels or be adjacent to the surgically explored regions. Small caliber vessels require ligatures and sections, as an alternative to the more rapid use of the electrosurgical unit, in order to avoid dispersion of the electric current which can cause very annoying complications for the patient in the post-operative period such as swallowing disorders and deficits in lifting the shoulder or dysphonia. The use of an electrocautery capable of performing the section without the electrical dispersion of the traditional handpiece was safely employed in two cases of carotid endarterectomy