At Atrium Vascular Associates, endarterectomy is used to treat narrowed or blocked arteries caused by plaque buildup. Board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon Dr. Sydney Wong clearly explains your options and tailors the surgical approach to your symptoms and health.
Remove Plaque to Improve Circulation
Endarterectomy is an open surgical procedure used to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) by removing plaque from narrowed or blocked arteries, often in the legs. During the procedure, the artery is opened, and the buildup is carefully removed to restore normal blood flow. By directly clearing the blockage rather than compressing it, endarterectomy can relieve leg pain, improve wound healing, and reduce the risk of limb-threatening complications.
Why Do You Need an Endarterectomy?
An endarterectomy is recommended when plaque buildup inside a peripheral artery restricts blood flow and causes symptoms that affect your life or threaten limb health. In PAD, narrowed arteries in the legs can lead to pain with walking, non-healing wounds, skin changes, or tissue damage. When blockages are severe, calcified, or not amenable to minimally invasive options, surgical removal of the plaque can restore circulation and protect the affected limb.
You may need an endarterectomy if:
- You have leg pain that limits walking despite conservative treatment
- You develop slow-healing wounds or ulcers on your legs or feet
- You experience rest pain caused by poor circulation
- You have severe or localized plaque not suitable for stenting or angioplasty
- You are at risk for limb-threatening complications from reduced blood flow
Why Choose Dr. Sydney Wong?
Dr. Sydney Wong is a board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon with extensive experience treating complex peripheral artery disease. He performs an endarterectomy when plaque removal offers the safest and most durable way to restore blood flow. Dr. Wong carefully evaluates your anatomy, symptoms, and overall health to determine whether endarterectomy is the right approach, and then explains each step clearly so you know what to expect.
What to Expect During an Endarterectomy?
During endarterectomy, Dr. Wong performs the procedure under general or regional anesthesia. An incision is made over the blocked artery to provide precise access to the diseased segment. Dr. Wong carefully opens the artery and removes the plaque buildup from the blood vessel wall to restore normal blood flow. The artery is then closed, often with a patch to widen the vessel and reduce the risk of re-narrowing, before the incision is closed.
Benefits of Endarterectomy
Endarterectomy provides a direct, effective way to restore circulation when plaque buildup is severe or minimally invasive treatment is not suitable.
By physically removing the blockage, this approach can provide lasting improvement in blood flow and symptom relief, including:
- Improving blood flow to the affected limb
- Relieving leg pain with walking and at rest
- Supporting the healing of chronic wounds or ulcers
- Reducing the risk of limb-threatening complications
- Durable results in appropriately selected patients
Endarterectomy FAQs
How Is Endarterectomy Different From Angioplasty or Stenting?
Endarterectomy physically removes plaque from inside the artery, restoring it closer to its natural size. Angioplasty and stenting are minimally invasive techniques that push plaque aside rather than removing it. If plaque is heavily calcified, localized, or causing significant symptoms, endarterectomy may offer a more durable solution.
What Is Recovery Like After Endarterectomy?
Recovery varies depending on the artery treated and your overall health. You may stay in the hospital for several days while blood flow, pain control, and wound healing are monitored. Mild swelling, bruising, or numbness near the incision is common early on. Most people gradually return to normal activities over several weeks.
Schedule Your Consultation
Atrium Vascular Associates is a specialized vascular clinic in Richmond Hill that provides advanced, patient-centered care to individuals across the Greater Toronto Area. If you’re experiencing symptoms of peripheral artery disease or have concerns about circulation, schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Wong to explore your options.
