The area of atherosclerosis is then removed and the vessel sewn back up. The complications of neurosurgery relate to the particular procedure and location of the problem. Bleeding is a potential problem after any operation. After intracranial surgery, brain swelling may occur with or without bleeding. Spinal surgery carries a risk of injury to the structures involved such as nerve roots or the spinal cord.
Carotid surgery has a particular risk of stroke and heart attack.
Patients are carefully monitored after surgery to detect problems and to treat them as quickly and thoroughly as necessary.