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Management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms: 17 years' experience

Q Zhang1, Z Q Duan, S J Xin

  • 1Department of Surgery, The First Teaching Hospital, Shenyang, 110001, China.

Insights

Surgical management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms using resection and saphenous vein graft reconstruction is effective. An end-to-side anastomosis technique minimizes neurological complications by avoiding a blind-ending carotid stump.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Cerebrovascular Disease Management
  • Surgical Reconstruction Techniques

Background:

  • Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms are rare but can lead to serious complications.
  • Management strategies have evolved over time.
  • Understanding the outcomes of different surgical approaches is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the seventeen-year experience (1980-1996) in managing extracranial carotid artery aneurysms.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of surgical resection and reconstruction.
  • To identify factors influencing patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 66 extracranial carotid artery aneurysms in 63 patients.
  • Diagnosis confirmed by angiography or duplex ultrasonography.
  • Surgical management primarily involved aneurysm resection with saphenous vein graft interposition.

Main Results:

  • Operative mortality was 1.5% (one death from sepsis).
  • Early neurological complications (hemiparesis) occurred in 6.1% of patients.
  • Adopting an end-to-side anastomosis technique eliminated neurological complications in subsequent cases.

Conclusions:

  • Resection and reconstruction with autogenous saphenous vein provide successful management for extracranial carotid aneurysms.
  • The end-to-side anastomosis technique is superior as it avoids a blind-ending stump, a potential source of emboli.
  • This surgical approach offers a safe and effective treatment option for these aneurysms.
Abstract

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