The flow of blood around the human body is critical when one considers the health of the human body. Blood is used to transport nutrients and oxygen to various different parts of the body. Blood is also used to transport waste products from these parts of the body. Therefore, the normal flow of blood is essential to ensure that the individual is in proper health. Fresh blood flows to various parts of the body through the arteries of the body. For the head and neck, the carotid artery system is the one that supplies fresh blood. The carotid artery system is made up of the common carotid artery which then branches into the left (internal) carotid artery and the right (external) carotid artery. This branch is necessary so that all parts of the head and neck receive the oxygen and nutrition demanded by them.
Blood flow to the head and neck may be affected if there is a buildup of material in the carotid artery system. This buildup of material may be in the form of plaque or fat which get deposited in the system over a period of time. Individuals who are unhealthy tend to be at a higher risk of developing such problems. A poor diet is also listed as a cause of carotid artery blockage.
Whatever be the cause, a blockage to the normal flow of blood in the carotid artery system could be fatal. It must therefore be cleared as quickly as possible. A procedure known as a carotid endarterectomy is performed to clean out these deposits. When the deposits are found in the internal carotid artery, the left carotid endarterectomy procedure will be performed. The left carotid endarterectomy procedure is conducted only after an imaging test has confirmed the location of the blockage that has affected the individual. Once this location is clear, the left carotid endarterectomy procedure will be performed.
As far as the patient is concerned, the left carotid endarterectomy surgery is exactly the same as any other form of carotid endarterectomy. The difference is applicable to the doctor who has to guide the tools into place to perform the left carotid endarterectomy surgery.
Patients need to follow the exact orders of their doctors when recovering from a left carotid endarterectomy procedure. This procedure is a risky procedure as some of the left carotid endarterectomy complications could also include death. After the initial recovery, the patient may have subsequent scans performed to check how successful the procedure has been.