Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Femoral Endarterectomy
Femoral endarterectomy is surgery to clear a blocked femoral artery. The femoral artery is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the legs. It is found in the groin area. The femoral artery can become blocked by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances (plaque). This blockage is also called peripheral vascular disease.Plaque may partially or completely block the artery or cause a blood clot to form, which can be dangerous.
Femoral endarterectomy may be done as part of another blood vessel surgery. It can also be done in combination with a stent procedure.
Tell a health care provider about:
-
Any allergies you have.
-
All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
-
Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
-
Any blood disorders you have.
-
Any surgeries you have had.
-
Any medical conditions you have, including diabetes or kidney problems.
-
Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
-
Infection.
-
Bleeding.
-
Allergic reactions to medicines or dyes.
-
Nerve damage.
-
Blood clots. These can form in the legs. Clots that break loose could travel to the heart, lungs, or brain.
-
Return of plaque buildup. This may cause another blockage. This can happen months or years after the procedure.
What happens before the procedure?
Staying hydrated
-
Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
-
8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods, such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
-
6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
-
6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
-
2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
Medicines
-
Starting new medicines or changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
-
Taking medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
-
Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Surgery safety
-
How your surgery site will be marked.
-
What steps will be taken to help prevent infection. These steps may include:
-
Removing hair at the surgery site.
-
Washing skin with a germ-killing soap.
-
Receiving antibiotic medicine.
-
General instructions
-
Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco for at least 4 weeks before the procedure. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
-
Plan to have a responsible adult take you home from the hospital or clinic.
-
Plan to have a responsible adult care for you for the time you are told after you leave the hospital or clinic. This is important.
-
You may have tests, including:
-
Blood tests.
-
A Doppler ultrasonogram. This test uses sound waves to check blood flow through your femoral artery and leg.
-
An angiogram. This involves having dye put into your blood and then having X-rays taken.
-
What happens during the procedure?
-
Small monitors will be placed on your body. These will be used to check your heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
-
An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
-
You will be given one or more of the following:
-
A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
-
A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
-
A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
-
A medicine that is injected into your spine to numb the area below and slightly above the injection site (spinal anesthetic).
-
A medicine that is injected into an area of your body to numb everything below the injection site (regional anesthetic).
-
-
An incision will be made in your groin area, over the blocked part of the femoral artery.
-
A clamp will be placed on the femoral artery above and below the blockage. This will stop blood from flowing through the blocked area.
-
An incision will be made in the femoral artery so the health care provider can access the plaque.
-
The plaque will be stripped away from the inner walls of the artery.
-
The femoral artery will be closed using a patch made of prosthetic material or from one of your own veins. This will make the artery wider. It also helps keep the artery from getting narrow again.
-
The clamp will be removed so that blood can flow through the femoral artery again.
-
The incision in your groin will be closed with staples or stitches (sutures).
-
A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incision.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
-
Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the hospital or clinic.
-
You may have to wear compression stockings. These stockings help to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling in your legs.
-
You will be given pain medicine as needed.
-
If you were given a sedative during the procedure, it can affect you for several hours. Do not drive or operate machinery until your health care provider says that it is safe.
Summary
-
Femoral endarterectomy is surgery to clear a blocked femoral artery. The femoral artery is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the legs. It is found in the groin area.
-
Before surgery, ask your health care provider before starting new medicines or changing or stopping your regular medicines.
-
If you were given a sedative during the procedure, you should not drive or operate machinery until your health care provider says that it is safe.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
