The posterior cervical triangle approach for high carotid artery exposure in carotid endarterectomy.

A new approach in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was developed for high carotid artery lesions. With the authors' use of the posterior cervical triangle approach, 20 patients with a high carotid artery lesion were successfully treated with CEA. Accessory nerve palsy in 1 patient and hoarseness in 4 patients were encountered postoperatively as transient complications. There were no permanent procedure-related complications. Although this method has some risks, it is a useful method in CEA for high carotid artery lesions.