The retrojugular approach to carotid endarterectomy--a safer technique?

The conventional technique of carotid endarterectomy involves approaching the carotid sheath, anterior and medial to the internal jugular vein with division of the facial vein. Mobilisation of the ansa cervicalis and identification of the hypoglossal nerve is usually required. We describe our results of retrojugular approach in a consecutive nonrandomised cohort of 50 carotid endarterectomy patients.