Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association of common carotid artery bifurcation level, neck length, and carotid artery
diameters with postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).
Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans of a total of 107 patients (80 males,
27 females; mean age 69.0±9.6 years; range, 48 to 92 years) who underwent CEA between January 2012 and April 2018. The carotid artery
bifurcation level was identified according to the cervical vertebrae and compared with the patient’s neck length and internal, external, and
common carotid arteries.
Results: The mean level of the right carotid artery bifurcation was 3.7±0.54 in females and 4.03±0.74 in males (p=0.019). We found a
significant, positive correlation of the female sex and right carotid artery bifurcation level (p=0.042) with both internal carotid artery
diameters.
Conclusion: Our study results suggest that a preoperative rigorous examination of CTA scans and planning surgery are essential components
to prevent undesirable surgical complications in patients undergoing CEA.
Key words: Anatomic variation, carotid artery, endarterectomy.
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