Journal of vascular surgery
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Saphenous nerve injury has long been recognized as a risk of greater saphenous vein stripping, and it has been suggested by some authors as a reason to avoid stripping below the knee. The rate of injury reported in the literature is extremely variable, with no study adequately addressing the effect of these injuries on patient quality of life. We undertook this study to measure the prevalence of these injuries and quantify their impact on quality of life. ⋯ Signs and symptoms of saphenous nerve injury are common at long-term follow-up after greater saphenous vein stripping to the ankle. However, there appears to be little, if any, significant resultant morbidity. The risk of saphenous nerve injury should therefore not be considered a reason to avoid stripping of the greater saphenous vein to the ankle.
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The consensus is that eversion carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a safe, effective, and durable surgical technique. Concern remains, however, regarding insertion of a shunt during the procedure. We studied the advisability of shunting with eversion CEA by comparing patients who underwent eversion CEA with and without shunting. ⋯ Shunt insertion can be safely performed during eversion CEA. Perioperative mortality and morbidity after eversion CEA are not statistically modified with shunting.