Frequency and extent of media in the internal carotid artery in "endarterectomy" specimens.

Carotid endarterectomy has been performed now for approximately 50 years. No report, however, has described the presence of media in these "endarterectomy" specimens. From January 1997 through May 2003, 147 carotid endarterectomy specimens were examined histologically. Portions of arterial media were present in each of them. The maximal amount of circumferential media in any patient varied from>95% of the cross-sectional circumference in 55 patients (37%) to<or=25% of the circumferences in 4 patients (3%). In 116 patients (79%), >75% of the arterial circumference of the internal carotid artery contained media. The proper term for this operative procedure might better be "endomediaectomy" rather than "endarterectomy."