Research Article

Comparison of General and Regional Anesthesia in Carotid Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026 March 18, 2026
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Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi
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Comparison of General and Regional Anesthesia in Carotid Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an effective surgical strategy to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis. Both general anesthesia (GA) and regional anesthesia (RA) are commonly used during CEA; however, their relative impact on perioperative outcomes remains a subject of ongoing debate in routine clinical practice. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent elective CEA between January 2021 and December 2023. Patients were grouped according to anesthesia technique (GA or RA). Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, perioperative medication use, intraoperative variables, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcome was a composite adverse event defined as postoperative morbidity (stroke and/or myocardial infarction) and/or mortality within 30 days. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of adverse events. Results: A total of 205 patients were included (GA: n=130; RA: n=75). Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. There were no significant differences in intensive care unit stay, hospital length of stay, postoperative morbidity, mortality, or composite adverse events between GA and RA. In multivariable analysis, no variable including anesthesia technique was identified as an independent predictor of adverse events (GA: OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.57–2.97; p=0.531). Conclusion: In this retrospective cohort, general and regional anesthesia were associated with comparable perioperative outcomes following carotid endarterectomy. These findings suggest that perioperative results are influenced more by patient-related risk factors than by anesthesia technique alone, supporting an individualized approach to anesthesia selection in CEA.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

none

Ethical Statement

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital (Approval No: 2024-TBEK 2024/02-11; Date: February 21, 2024)

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Anaesthesiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

March 18, 2026

Submission Date

December 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1846162

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA25TF43JX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
EndNote
Güler G, Özyaprak B, Gamlı M, Onur A, Aksoy İ (March 1, 2026) Comparison of General and Regional Anesthesia in Carotid Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 January, February, March 2026