Vein patch rupture after carotid endarterectomy

Controversy continues to surround the use of patch angioplasty after carotid endarterectomy. Vein patch rupture is considered to be an uncommon occurrence with an incidence of 0.4-4% 1-3 related to the use of long saphenous vein harvested from the ankle. A recent publication has suggested this can be avoided by using long saphenous vein from the upper thigh. However this case confirms that there is still a risk of rupture even when vein patches are taken from the upper thigh long saphenous vein.