Comparison of weights of carotid endarterectomy specimens in the same patient among patients undergoing bilateral procedures at different times

We analyzed weights of carotid endarterectomy specimens in 17 patients who underwent bilateral procedures. Although we assumed that both arterial systems would be the same size, the weight of the carotid endarterectomy specimens was similar in only 4 of the 17 patients; the carotid endarterectomy specimen was larger at the second operation in 5 patients and smaller at the second operation in 8 patients.