Surgery for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in a low-volume neurosurgical unit

To evaluate outcomes after surgical treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in a low-volume neurosurgical unit.

Consecutive patients operated during the years 1988-98 at the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of North Norway, were studied retrospectively. Procedure-related complications were registered. The modified Rankin Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale, Extended version (GOS-E), were used for assessment of outcome.

Thirty-six aneurysms were repaired in 32 patients during 34 surgical procedures. Surgery-related central nervous system complications occurred in eight (25%) patients. The complication rate was 35% for the first 17 procedures, and 12% for the last 17. The latter group of procedures were performed during a period of 3 years, whereas the former group was spread over a period of 8 years. A favourable outcome (GOS-E score 6-8) was reached in 27 (84%) patients.

Decision-making in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms must be based on knowledge about institution-specific complication rates, preferably followed on a prospective basis.