Acute laryngeal oedema following carotid endarterectomy.

Two cases of acute laryngeal oedema are reported following carotid endarterectomy. Although the mechanisms of development of oedema differ in each case they both illustrate a potentially lethal complication of any form of neck surgery. The requirement for careful haemostasis and airway observation of patients for the first 24 hour after neck surgery is emphasised.