Patient satisfaction after carotid endarterectomy using a selective policy of local anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction after carotid endarterectomy has not been specifically studied or reported. Results of carotid endarterectomy using either local or general anesthesia have been widely reported, and outcomes are not significantly different for either technique. Patient satisfaction data were obtained in order to determine whether patients preferred one method of anesthesia over another, Data regarding outcome may be added to the surgical literature as benchmark data when comparing operative carotid endarterectomy to newer techniques. METHODS: During a 30-month period, 186 consecutive carotid endarterectomies were performed on 169 patients by a single surgeon with assistance from senior surgical residents. All patients were offered local anesthesia using a cervical block technique with intraoperative supplementation. Patients for whom local anesthesia was inappropriate or who declined were operated on using general endotracheal anesthesia. Results of operation were tabulated including indication for operation, method of anesthesia, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and mortality, and completion of a patient satisfaction survey form either on postoperative visit or by telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 169 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, 151 (89%) completed the satisfaction survey form. One hundred fourteen (62%) had local anesthesia and 71 patients (38%) had general anesthesia. There was 1 stroke (0.5%) and 1 death (0.5%) in the series. Perioperative complications including temporary cranial nerve injury, neck hematoma, myocardial infarction, and restenosis were noted and not significantly different in either the general anesthesia or local anesthesia group. Patient satisfaction data including intraoperative discomfort, postoperative pain, attentiveness of the operating room staff, and length of stay were all tabulated. There was no statistically significant difference in satisfaction between the general anesthesia group and the local anesthesia group (chi-square and Fisher's exact test), Additionally, satisfaction with the procedure was extremely high. CONCLUSIONS: Patient outcome and perception of pain and recovery were not statistically significantly different in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy using local anesthesia compared with general anesthesia. Overall patient satisfaction was extremely high. Patients should be offered carotid endarterectomy using an anesthesia technique with which the surgeon and patients are both comfortable, having confidence that the outcome is not related to anesthesia technique and that patients will be highly satisfied. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.