Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain. It is performed to prevent stroke in patients with significant carotid artery narrowing, especially if they have experienced symptoms such as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or minor strokes.

The procedure involves making an incision in the neck to expose the affected artery. The surgeon temporarily clamps blood flow, opens the artery, and carefully removes the plaque buildup. The artery is then closed, often with a patch to widen the vessel and reduce the chance of recurrence. In some cases, a temporary shunt is used to maintain brain circulation during surgery.