Epiglottic hematoma after carotid endarterectomy with cervical block.

There are few trials assessing the risks and benefits of performing a cervical plexus block (CPB) in urgent carotid endarterectomies (CEA). We describe a case of a patient who underwent urgent CEA under CPB and suffered a complication of postoperative epiglottic hematoma. There were clinical findings that helped to distinguish the hematoma from other, more common postoperative complications. The mainstay of treatment was steroids and observation. Epiglottic hematomas after cervical blocks for CEAs are rare but potentially lethal complications. More research is needed investigating complications related to CPBs performed for CEAs.