Carotid endarterectomy: a Southern North Island regional consensus statement.

Aims: The aim of this project was to employ interdepartmental and cross district health board collaboration to reach a regional consensus on the management of patients who may benefit from carotid endarterectomy.
Methods: All regional stroke physicians, neurologists, and vascular surgeons met to review relevant literature and local audits and to discuss best management strategies suited to the region.
Results: A consensus statement was agreed upon and is presented here along with a summary of the supporting scientific evidence.
Discussion: Regional interdisciplinary collaboration proved an effective way to reach a carotid endarterectomy management consensus across a wider geographical area that is served by a single vascular surgery department. This approach could serve as a model for other regional initiatives.