In recent years both vascular surgeons and general surgeons have become interested in the surgical management of large arteries obstructed by thrombi. The operation of endarterectomy has met with varying degrees of success, the end-results depending on factors too numerous and too complicated to come within the scope of this paper.
However, experience with endarterectomy has shown that there is a very real need for instruments which will facilitate the technique and cut down on the operative time. With this in mind, the present work was undertaken at the request of Dr. W. J. Merle Scott. The arterial curettes presented are the result of about two years' work by trial and error as there was no previous basis from which to work.
THE INSTRUMENTS
The curettes have been made up in a set of five with outside diameters ranging from 4 mm. to 9 mm. The handles are 21 cm.