Abstract: A method of performing an endarterectomy comprising the steps of exposing the blood vessel containing the atheroma to be excised, next forming an incision through the wall of the blood vessel at a location subtended by the atheroma, then inserting a probe through the incision and imparting ultrasonic vibrations to the probe while manipulating the probe relative to the atheroma to loosen the atheroma from the surrounding blood vessel and extracting the loosened atheroma through the incision. The further step of injecting a sterile liquid over the probe during its vibration has been found to enhance the ability of the probe to loosen the atheroma.