 Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed to treat arterial blockages caused by blood clots after a stroke. Pre-procedure, you may be advised to stop taking certain blood-thinning medications. On the day of the surgery, you are administered anesthesia intravenously, after which the surgeon makes an incision on your leg or collar bone, inserts a catheter, thin tube and guides it to the clot. The catheter has a balloon on the tip, which is then inflated. The surgeon later pulls the catheter back, dislodging the clot so it can be removed. In some cases, the doctor might inject medicines to dissolve the clot or treat a spasm in a blood vessel. The incisions are then closed. The entire procedure takes 2-3 hours. Post-procedure, you will rest for a few days in the hospital and may be asked to wear compression stockings to help prevent the clot from forming again.