We performed ultrasound examinations on forty-five patients with a history of carotid endarterectomy to assess the patency and position of the internal jugular vein on the side of the endarterectomy. The study was performed in a tertiary referral centre. In the 55 internal jugular veins examined (ten bilateral procedures), the veins were patent and in a normal relationship to the carotid artery. We concluded that previous carotid surgery should not be a contraindication to cannulation of the internal jugular vein.
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